Flores Airport ( pt, Aeroporto das Flores) is a regional airport on the island of
Flores
Flores is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands, a group of islands in the eastern half of Indonesia. Including the Komodo Islands off its west coast (but excluding the Solor Archipelago to the east of Flores), the land area is 15,530.58 km2, and th ...
in the Portuguese archipelago of the
Azores
)
, motto =( en, "Rather die free than subjected in peace")
, anthem= ( en, "Anthem of the Azores")
, image_map=Locator_map_of_Azores_in_EU.svg
, map_alt=Location of the Azores within the European Union
, map_caption=Location of the Azores wi ...
. It is located along the eastern coast, bisecting the regional capital of
Santa Cruz das Flores
Santa Cruz das Flores (; ) is a municipality situated in the north half of the island of Flores, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. Situated in the sparsely populated Western Group, the population in 2021 was 2,020 inhabitants in an ar ...
into two-halves: from the Porto of São Pedro the runway is aligned north–south to the area around Porto dos Poços. The airport divides the area of Monte and Pau Pique (in the headlands) and the central community of Santa Cruz das Flores (located on a ''fajã'', or geological debris field, from the Porto do Boqueirão to Porto Velho) along the eastern coast.
History
The first need for an airport/airfield on the island of Flores was recognized by the Marquis
Francesco de Pinedo
Francesco de Pinedo (February 16, 1890 – September 2, 1933) was a famous Italian aviator. A ''Regia Marina'' (Italy's Royal Navy) officer who transferred to the '' Regia Aeronautica'' (Italy's Royal Air Force), he was an advocate of the se ...
,
colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...
of the
Italian Air Force
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march = (Ordinance March of the Air Force) by Alberto Di Miniello
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 28 March ...
, who was forced to land from the island of Flores, during his attempt to reach
Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador (; french: Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador; frequently abbreviated as NL) is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region ...
. His
Savoia-Marchetti S.55
The Savoia-Marchetti S.55 was a double-hulled flying boat produced in Italy, beginning in 1924. Shortly after its introduction, it began setting records for speed, payload, altitude and range.
Design and development
The S.55 featured many in ...
hydroplane, baptized ''Santa Maria II'', was rescued by the Portuguese fishing boat ''Infantes de Sagres'' (heading for the
Grand Banks
The Grand Banks of Newfoundland are a series of underwater plateaus south-east of the island of Newfoundland on the North American continental shelf. The Grand Banks are one of the world's richest fishing grounds, supporting Atlantic cod, swordf ...
to fish
cod
Cod is the common name for the demersal fish genus '' Gadus'', belonging to the family Gadidae. Cod is also used as part of the common name for a number of other fish species, and one species that belongs to genus ''Gadus'' is commonly not call ...
) and towed to
Horta, where it was repaired.
But, it was only in 1972 that an airport was inaugurated on the island of Flores.
Along with the airports in Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Horta, Vila do Porto, Ponta Delgada and Beja, the airport's concessions to provide support to civil aviation was conceded to
ANA Aeroportos de Portugal
ANA Aeroportos de Portugal is the airport authority of Portugal. The authority manages various airports including Portugal's largest airport, Lisbon Airport. The authority has its head office in Building 120 on the grounds of the airport.
Histor ...
on 18 December 1998, under provisions of decree 404/98.
With this concession, ANA was also provided to the planning, development and construction of future infrastructures.
[
On 11 January 2013, a tender was issued by ANA Aeroportos to improve the accessibility within the airport, with installation of lifts, escalators and mechanical walkways, to be installed within the intervening five years.
]
Airlines and destinations
The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Flores Airport:
Statistics
See also
* Aviation in the Azores Aviation in the Azores is part of the greater history of aviation in Portugal, and involves the historical use of the archipelago of the Azores by North American, South American and European pioneers of aviation. The Azores is strategically located ...
References
;Notes
;Sources
*
*
External links
{{authority control
Airports in the Azores
Buildings and structures in Santa Cruz das Flores