Corvo freight disruption enters fourth week as airlift fails
Azores GuideCorvo's regular maritime freight supply has been disrupted for more than three weeks. A planned Portuguese Air Force delivery was cancelled after an aircraft technical fault.
Corvo has been without regular maritime freight supply for more than three weeks. On Tuesday, the Azores Government said Atlanticoline used the launch Ariel to transport more than 1,300 kilograms of essential goods to the island.
The government said THOR B is undergoing scheduled mandatory maintenance needed to maintain its certification and operating capacity. Local traffic vessels had been expected to maintain regular supply during the vessel's absence, but sea conditions have prevented operation and docking at Porto da Casa.
The government said a Portuguese Air Force operation planned for Wednesday to deliver three tonnes of goods did not take place because the aircraft suffered a technical fault. It said it continues to assess air and sea transport alternatives, dependent on weather and sea conditions.
Francisco César, leader of PS/Açores, blamed the Regional Government for a lack of planning. He said essential goods are lacking, businesses risk closing and farmers are accumulating losses. More than 100 animals have been waiting to be transported from Corvo for three weeks, he said. César called for a concrete solution and said Portuguese Air Force support should be requested for urgent essential-goods transport if there is no immediate maritime response.
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