SATA trips conditioned by unauthorized launch of balloons, fog and bird. Normality in Porto.
Airlines Sata Air Azores and Azores Airlines are having constraints in the operation since Thursday due to restrictions related to Balloon Launch, ‘Bird Strike’ and Fog in Portotoday said the group SATA
“Between yesterday evening (June 5) and today (June 6), air operation -both interil and domestic and international -was affected by several embarrassment, alien to its responsibility, but which are having impact on regularity and punctuality of air operation, ”says the company in a statement sent to Lusa.
According to the note, this morning the “limitation temporary approach to Ponta Delgada Airport [ilha de São Miguel]due to air traffic restrictions, for unauthorized launch of balloonswhich forced to diverge and delay the departure of some flights from Sata Air Azores. ”
SATA also refers to the occurrence of an episode ‘bird strike’ (Bird collision with aircraft), “At the end of yesterday [quinta-feira] Upon arrival in Ponta Delgada, which forced the immobilization of an Azores Airlines aircraft for mandatory inspection, implying the adjustment of the operation. ”
The SATA group also points to the existence of “conditioning in the operation of flights to the Porto, caused by dense fog and limitations on airport approach systems, resulting in chain delays in the operation of Azores Airlines. ”
“These events, to which the airlines are alien, cause chain delays, difficult to replace in a short time,” he says.
Also according to the company, “despite continuous efforts to minimize the impact of these disorders on passenger itineraries, the replacement of the normality of traffic is gradually occurring” and passengers affected by cancellations or significant delays “will continue to be informed of any relevant changes.”
SATA “laments the uncomfortable” and ensures that “it is making every effort to normalize the operation as soon as possible”.
Children interfered
The most recent case, related to the launch of balloons, occurred this morning in Ponta Delgada.
According to, São Miguel Airspace ended temporarily between 11:21 places (12:21 in Lisbon) and 12:30 Balloon launch, allegedly by students of a day care center.
RTP also said that the temporary closing of the airspace was due to security And it caused several flights to have diverged to Santa Maria, still causing the delay of other calls.
The director of Coriscolândia-Ludic-Pedagogical Animation Center, one of the valences of Kairós (cooperative of incubation of solidarity economy initiatives) has already spoken “Surprised” Because the launch of balloons, a school year activity, has had an impact on air traffic in São Miguel, ensuring that he has informed NAV.
Speaking to Lusa, João Pimentel, said the Balloon launch “It’s an event with almost 20 years”which happens annually to mark the closing of the school year and “always took place with normal”.
“Every year We call the airport control tower informing and asking for permission. And yesterday [quinta-feira] We called to inform that today we would launch the balloons. They told us that it could be today between 11:00 locations and 11:25 and that’s what made them, ”he said.
Also according to João Pimentel, before the launch of balloons, Coriscolandian “today again established a new contact” with Nav Portugal – Air Navigation, which “did not express impediment”.
“We are admired With what is happening, ”said the leader, adding that he was only aware of the situation through publications in“ social networks ”.
João Pimentel also said that the “about 300 biodegradable balloons ”were launched“ more than 10 kilometers from the airport ”.
Lusa tried information from NAV Portugal, but has not been responded so far.
Normality in Porto
The instrument landing system (ILS) of the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airportin Porto, is already “Totally operational”, Nav Portugal today indicated today, allowing the recovery of normal air operation in reduced visibility conditions.
O fog allied to the temporary inoperativeness of ILS, due to works underway at the airport, it made that, in the last two weeks, dozens of flightsbetween landings and coolings, they had to be canceled, late or divergissem for other destinations.
“The Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport Landing System (ILS) is already fully operational, after the success of the respective ‘Flight Check’ [voo de teste]which confirmed that all operating parameters are 100% calibrated compared to the new track conditions, ”says the company responsible for the management of air traffic.
Official source of NAV Portugal points out that “with ILS now fully available, the airport takes up its normal operation capacity under reduced visibility conditions.”
Works at Porto Airport are planned until February 2026.
