SPAC noted that the operational issues have persisted since September 2024, directly affecting safety, wasting public resources, and undermining the confidence of both employees and passengers. Among the key concerns is the frequent leasing of aircraft with crew (ACMI) and the continued insistence on maintaining a central hub in Ponta Delgada despite lacking the necessary technical and logistical infrastructure.

The union criticised poor crew planning, mismanagement of airports, and growing dependence on ACMI operations, calling it a sign of outdated and inefficient management practices. SPAC also condemned the silence of the current board, led by Rui Coutinho, in response to these criticisms and expressed alarm over the airline’s undisclosed 2024 financial results, which it says casts doubt on the company’s financial health.

SPAC is calling on the Azorean Government to verify the technical, financial, and labour credentials of the Newtour/MS Aviation consortium. It also criticised management practices such as frequent calls for pilots to work on rest days, unfair work distribution, lack of transparency in career progressions, and favouritism in appointments to leadership and technical roles.

Negotiations over the privatisation of Azores Airlines are ongoing, following the European Commission's approval in 2022 of a €453.25 million Portuguese state aid package to support the airline’s restructuring, which includes selling a controlling 51% stake.