Passengers landed by sea in the Azores rises in September

O the number of passengers landed in the Azores on inter-sea voyages in September increased by 2.1% compared to the same period, but in the first nine months of the year it fell by 4.1%, according to data released today by the Regional Statistical Office (SREA).

In September, they landed in the ports of the region 58,159 passengers, coming from interilha voyages, less 1,204 (2.1%) than in the same month in 2025, according to the numbers published on the SREA page and consulted by Lusa.

With the exception of the month of May, which recovered slightly (0.5%), the number of passengers landed by sea in the region was falling since July 2025.

In the accumulated value of the first nine months of the year, the Azores accounted for 462.324 landings, minus 18,805 (4.1%) than in the same period.

At the low season, Atlanticoline, a company that provides maritime passenger connections in the Azores, makes trips only between the so-called islands of the Triangle (Pico, Faial and São Jorge) and between Flores and Corvo.

Between June and September, the other two islands of the Central Group (Third and Graciosa) are also covered.

This year, the sea passenger connections between São Miguel and Santa Maria were resumed, but through the private company It seems Machado, which announced a seasonal operation between July 2 and October 1, with two weekly connections, with the ship Isabel C, which has a maximum capacity of 16 passengers.

Without data allowing comparison with the homologous period, the island of Santa Maria added 57 passengers between July and September and the island of São Miguel 34, according to SREA numbers.

With several daily trips to Faial throughout the year, the island of Pico was the one that presented the largest passenger movement, in September, with 26,296 landings, more 1.7% than in the homologous period.

The island of Faial showed similar results, with 24,891 passengers landed and an increase of 1.27%.

The island of São Jorge, which also has links to Pico and Faial, throughout the year, increased by 9.2%, totaling 6,872 landings.

The scenario was different on the other islands of the Central Group, which have only sea passenger connections at the high season.

In September, Graciosa accounted for 225 passengers, minus 88 (28.1%) than in the same period, while Terceira recorded 639 landings, minus 108 (14.5%).

Between the two islands of the Western group, there are trips throughout the year. In the Flowers, 234 people landed in September, 44 (23.2%) more than in 2025, and in the Crow 191, 9 (5%) more.

Looking at the accumulated value from January to September, all islands integrated into the Atlanticline operation have a reduction compared to 2025, with the exception of Flowers.

With 200,898 passengers landed, Pico fell by 3.9%, while Faial added 186,730 passengers and a 4.1% drop.

In São Jorge 45,851 passengers landed in the first nine months of the year, less 3.8% than in the previous year.

In the Raven there were 1,810 passengers, less 53 (2.8%) than in 2025, but in the Flores there were 2,042, more 53 (2.7%) than in the same period.

Between June and September, Terceira Island totaled 4,030 landings, less 18.2% than in the homologous period, and Graciosa Island 2,067, less 6.1%.

Since 2020, the seasonal operation of Atlanticline, which connected all islands of the archipelago (with the exception of the Corvo), with larger vessels, has been suspended between May and September.