The Cultural Center of Graciosa Island, in Santa Cruz da Graciosa, hosted on October 14th the seminar “Mobility in the Azores: The Importance of PSOs for Territorial Cohesion”. The initiative, promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility, and Infrastructure, is part of the operation “Concession of Regular Air Transport Services in the Autonomous Region of the Azores 2021-2026”. This project is supported by the Azores 2030 Program, with funding exceeding 58 million euros, and included communication actions planned for the operation.
The event gathered institutional representatives, specialists, and regional entity representatives. The objective was to reflect on the strategic role of Public Service Obligations (PSOs) in the archipelago's mobility and territorial cohesion. The session was attended by the Manager of the Azores 2030 Program, who followed the proceedings and interacted with stakeholders in the regional air mobility sector.
The initiative underscored the significance of European support in promoting essential services for the Azorean population. These supports ensure connectivity between the islands and access to opportunities, services, and facilities throughout the regional territory. Throughout the morning, topics such as the importance of PSOs for mobility in the Azores and their impact on fundamental areas like the economy, health, tourism, and social cohesion were discussed.
The program included two thematic panels focused on the relevance of PSOs for regional mobility and their concrete effects on the daily lives of Azoreans. It culminated in a round table discussion on the future challenges and perspectives of mobility in the archipelago. The seminar's organization aligns with the information and communication requirements associated with the co-financed operation, aiming to raise awareness of European fund support and the impact of investments in the transport sector.
By fostering debate and knowledge sharing, the initiative enhanced public understanding of the importance of regular air transport for territorial continuity, economic and social cohesion, and sustainable development in the Azores.
