MEP Catarina Martins (The Left) has asked the European Commission whether the full privatisation of SATA Handling in the Azores could create a de facto private monopoly on ground handling services in a small island market with no real competition. In a written parliamentary question submitted on 16 June 2026, Martins also pressed the Commission to consider reviewing the privatisation plan if Portugal proposes keeping the activity in public hands to ensure continuity of service, and to assess alternatives if there is evidence of significant shortcomings, risk of further state aid, or threats to territorial continuity.
The question targets the Commission's approval of aid to the SATA Group under decisions C(2022) 3816 and C(2025) 9277, which made privatisation of SATA Internacional and SATA Handling a condition. Martins argues that moving Azores Airlines' liabilities to the national balance sheet may constitute new state aid under Article 107 TFEU if it alters authorised conditions or distorts competition. The MEP's intervention reflects concerns that the sale of 100% of SATA Handling in a geographically isolated market could undermine public service obligations and territorial cohesion.
whether the Commission acknowledges the monopoly risk, whether it would accept an alternative keeping SATA Handling public, and whether it would reassess the privatisation model if shortcomings emerge. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will signal its stance on balancing competition rules with regional connectivity needs in ultraperipheral territories like the Azores.