The Government of the Azores thanked the outgoing president of SATA, Rui Coutinho, this Tuesday, 2nd, for his “contribution” to “strengthening the stability” of the group, and expressed confidence in the work of the future leader of the board of directors, Tiago Santos.
“The Regional Government of the Azores expresses to the outgoing president its recognition for the services provided and wishes the new president great success in carrying out his duties, reiterating its confidence in the continuity of the structuring work that has been developed”, says the Azorean executive in a press release.
The president of the administration of SATA, Rui Coutinho, resigned from his position, the Government of the Azores revealed to Lusa today, which will appoint the financial director, Tiago Santos, to lead the aviation group.
In the first official reaction after the changes in SATA’s leadership became known, the Azores executive (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) confirmed, through a statement, the departure of Rui Coutinho, whom he recognizes for the “work carried out during the exercise of his duties”.
The Regional Government thanks Rui Coutinho for the “contribution made to achieving the established goals and reinforcing the stability of the SATA group in the current context of compliance with the Restructuring Plan”.
A source from the Government of the Azores told the Lusa agency that Rui Coutinho claimed in his resignation a professional invitation to manage Funchal airport.
Rui Coutinho had been appointed president of SATA in June 2024 after the departure of Teresa Gonçalves, who resigned on April 9 last year and who had replaced Luis Rodrigues in April 2023.
Tiago Santos, who joined the administration of SATA in July 2024, is an economist, was a member of the board of directors and financial director of Metropolitano de Lisboa, Carris, Transtejo and Soflusa between 2015 and 2016, roles he also held at the company Oitante, between 2016 and 2018.
He was also an advisor to the Minister of Health Paulo Macedo (2011 to 2015) and the Secretary of State for Treasury and Finance (2010 and 2011) and administrator of the consultancy COBA.
The change in administration at SATA comes at a time when the privatization process of Azores Airlines, the group’s company responsible for connections between the Azores and abroad, is underway.
On November 24, the Atlantic Connect Group consortium presented a proposal of 17 million euros for 85% of the share capital of Azores Airlines, with the Government of the Azores asking the European Commission to extend the deadline for the company’s privatization until December 31, 2026.
The proposal is currently being analyzed by the competition jury, led by economist and university professor Augusto Mateus.
In June 2022, the European Commission approved Portuguese state aid to support the restructuring of the Azorean airline of 453.25 million euros in loans and state guarantees, providing for measures such as a reorganization of the structure and the divestment of a controlling stake (51%).