“In the new study, which in this case points to the possible need to reorient the runway, [it is necessary] to see what potential it has. We always want the best, but I won’t make hasty and stupid decisions because they cost money”, declared José Manuel Bolieiro.

The leader of the Azorean government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) spoke to journalists at the São Roque do Pico fire department headquarters after a meeting with the Island Council as part of the executive's statutory visit to the island.

Bolieiro assured that the expansion of the runway at Pico Airport depends on the study whose conclusions will be known by the end of the year.

Asked whether he maintains his commitment to increasing the runway, the president of the Regional Government replied that the executive is “working to see the modality” that ensures “improving the operability” of the island.

On July 15, the regional secretary of Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure announced that expanding the runway at Pico airport by another 700 meters would cause “more obstacles” than those that currently exist, according to a study.

Fifteen days later, the award of a complementary study was announced with a view to expanding the runway at that airport.

The president of the Government of the Azores guaranteed that this complementary study will allow us to “know the potential” of extending the infrastructure.

“The first study involved a simple extension of the current runway which gave no guarantee of improving the runway’s operability,” he highlighted.