Editing Azores (section)

== Economy ==
In order of importance, the main sectors of employment of the Azores are services, agriculture, fishery, industry and tourism.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Research for REGI Committee: The economic, social and territorial situation of the Azores (Portugal) |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/601971/IPOL_BRI%282017%29601971_EN.pdf |journal=Briefing for the European Parliament |access-date=3 September 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127105317/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/601971/IPOL_BRI(2017)601971_EN.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Economy Azores |url=http://azoresweb.com/economy.html |access-date=2020-09-03 |website=azoresweb.com |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803173635/http://www.azoresweb.com/economy.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Agricultural products include [[São Jorge cheese]]. As of 2023, GDP in Azores stood at €5.4 billion, with a GDP per capita of €22,346, [[List of Portuguese administrative divisions by GDP|88% of Portugal's average]] and 59% of the EU27 average.<ref name="GDP"/><ref name="GDP2"/>

=== Sustainability ===
The Azores are committed to [[sustainable tourism]] and have implemented various policies to preserve their natural, historical, and cultural resources. This approach has led to the designation of approximately 25% of their land area as Protected Areas for conservation and the establishment of vast marine reserves.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cadete |first=Bárbara |date=2020-09-15 |title=Marine Protected Areas in the Azores |url=https://www.ccmar.ualg.pt/en/page/marine-protected-areas-azores |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=- CCMAR – |language=pt-pt |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205040730/https://www.ccmar.ualg.pt/en/page/marine-protected-areas-azores |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Key to their sustainability policy is the integration and participation of all societal members, ensuring equal opportunities in various sectors like health, social solidarity, education, culture, and employment. The harmony between people and nature is considered vital for the region's [[sustainable development]], enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors.

The Azores [[Destination management organisation|Destination Management Organisation]] (Açores DMO<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sustainability Case of the Azores Archipelago {{!}} Adventure Travel Trade Association |url=https://www.adventuretravelnews.com/sustainability-case-of-the-azores-archipelago |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=adventuretravelnews.com}}</ref>), established in 2018, plays a crucial role in coordinating these sustainability efforts with public and private sectors, [[Non-governmental organization|NGOs]], and local communities.

The policy aims to position the Azores as a leading sustainable tourist destination, aligning with the [[Sustainable Development Goals]] and gaining certification with the [[EarthCheck|EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations]] program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azores is the first archipelago to receive the certification of Sustainable Tourism Destination |url=https://forward-h2020.eu/event/https-www-gstcouncil-org-gstc-2019-global-conference-in-the-azores/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=nexa |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Lusa |date=2021-09-13 |title=Azores going for gold certification as sustainable tourism destination in 2024 |url=https://econews.pt/2021/09/13/azores-going-for-gold-certification-as-sustainable-tourism-destination-in-2024/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=ECO News |language=en-US |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205040720/https://econews.pt/2021/09/13/azores-going-for-gold-certification-as-sustainable-tourism-destination-in-2024/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> All with a focus on continuous improvement, prioritising the involvement of local communities and stakeholders in decision-making, and promoting sustainability across the tourism sector.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Recursos |url=https://sustainable.azores.gov.pt/contactos/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Açores – No rumo da sustentabilidade |language=pt-pt |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205040736/https://sustainable.azores.gov.pt/contactos/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Baixinho |first1=Alexandra |last2=Santos |first2=Carlos |last3=Couto |first3=Gualter |last4=Albergaria |first4=Isabel Soares de |last5=Silva |first5=Leonor Sampaio da |last6=Medeiros |first6=Pilar Damião |last7=Simas |first7=Rosa Maria Neves |date=2023-11-01 |title=Sustainable Creative Tourism on Islands and the Pandemic: The Creatour Azores Project |url=https://islandstudiesjournal.org/article/84756-sustainable-creative-tourism-on-islands-and-the-pandemic-the-creatour-azores-project |journal=Island Studies Journal |language=en |volume=18 |issue=2 |doi=10.24043/isj.416|doi-access=free }}</ref>

===Transport===
[[File:Ilha das Flores P5300348 (35621052890).jpg|thumb|right|Country road on Flores Island]]

====Aviation====
[[File:Lajes field (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[Lajes Air Base]], on [[Terceira Island]], is a joint [[Portuguese Air Force]] and [[United States Air Force]] military base.]]
{{main|Aviation in the Azores}}
Each of the nine islands has an airport, although the majority are airfields rather than airports.  The full list of airports is:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flugplaetze.org/PT/ |title=Flughäfen in Portugal (PT) |publisher=Flugplaetze.org |access-date=7 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107025615/http://www.flugplaetze.org/PT/ |archive-date=7 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Santa Maria: [[Santa Maria Airport (Azores)|Santa Maria Airport (LPAZ)]]
*São Miguel: [[João Paulo II Airport|João Paulo II Airport (LPPD)]]
*Terceira: [[Lajes Airport|Lajes Airport (LPLA)]]
*São Jorge: [[São Jorge Airport|São Jorge Airport (LPSJ)]]
*Pico: [[Pico Airport|Pico Airport (LPPI)]]
*Faial: [[Horta Airport|Horta Airport (LPHR)]]
*Graciosa: [[Graciosa Airport|Graciosa Airport (LPGR)]]
*Flores: [[Flores Airport|Flores Airport (LPFL)]]
*Corvo: [[Corvo Airport|Corvo Airport (LPCR)]]

The primary (and busiest) airport of the island group is João Paulo II Airport. The commercial terminals at João Paulo II, Horta, Santa Maria and Flores airports are operated by [[ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal]], a public entity that oversees the operations of airports across Portugal. The remaining, except for Lajes Airport, are operated by the Regional Government. Lajes is a military airbase, as well as a commercial airport, and is operated by the Portuguese Armed Forces in conjunction with the United States.
{{Clear}}

====Marine transportation====
[[File:Misericórdia church from the dam Angra (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Marina of [[Angra do Heroísmo]]]]
The Azores has had a long history of marine transport to overcome distances and establish inter-community contacts and trade. Consequently, the shipbuilding industry developed in many islands, from small fishing boats to whaling sloops and larger passenger services.<ref name="ALine">{{cite web |url=http://www.atlanticoline.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=60&lang=en |title=atlanticoline.pt: History |location=Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal |publisher=Atlânticoline |access-date=14 March 2011 |year=2009 |language=pt |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511114044/http://www.atlanticoline.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=60&lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Passenger traffic to the main islands (São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira and Faial) began in the 17th century, and between the 18th–19th century, the ''Pico Yacht'' controlled the lucrative summer traffic season.<ref name=ALine/>

After 1871, the Insulana Shipping Company was the only entity responsible for regular traffic between the islands (except Corvo), Madeira and the United States.<ref name=ALine/> Finally, cargo and passenger transportation ceased in the 1970s, and the ships were sold or converted into tuna fishing boats. For the next 20 years, commercial maritime service between the islands ceased (except between Faial-Pico and Lajes das Flores-Vila do Corvo).<ref name=ALine/>

[[File:Marina of Horta at sunrise, Faial Island, Azores, Portgual (PPL2-Enhanced) julesvernex2.jpg|thumb|right|The port of Horta is famed worldwide as a trans-Atlantic stop for yachts and sailors.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200206-a-post-office-in-the-middle-of-the-atlantic |title=A post office in the middle of the Atlantic |first=Fernando Teixeira & Izabela |last=Cardoso |publisher=BBC |access-date=20 February 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209224313/http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200206-a-post-office-in-the-middle-of-the-atlantic |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
[[Transmaçor]] (Transportes Marítimos Açorianos, Lda.) was founded in 1987.<ref name="Transmacor">{{cite web |url=http://transmacor.pt/site_actual/ |title=Transmaçor – Transportes Marítimos Açorianos, Ldª. |editor=Transmaçor |location=Horta (Azores), Portugal |publisher=Transportes Marítimos Açorianos, Lda. |language=pt |year=2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310022040/https://transmacor.pt/site_actual/ |archive-date=10 March 2016}}</ref><ref>The societies and companies comprise 80% of the capital, with the remaining shares owned by the Azores Regional Government.</ref> The shipping company operates four to six daily connections between Horta and Madalena throughout the year, using its small fleet of ships, in addition to inter-island connections between Faial, Pico, São Jorge and Terceira during the summer months.<ref name=Transmacor/> New initiatives began in the late 1990s: the catamaran ''Iapetos'' began services, followed by ''Lady of Mann'' and ''Golfinho Azul'' (chartered by Açorline).<ref name="ALine2">{{cite web |year=2009 |title=atlanticoline.pt: History |url=http://www.atlanticoline.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=60&lang=en |access-date=14 March 2011 |publisher=Atlânticoline |location=Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal |language=pt |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511114044/http://www.atlanticoline.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=60&lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Steve Jobs Yacht Venus in Portugal (Faial Island).jpg|thumb|left|[[Steve Jobs]]'s yacht ''[[Venus (yacht)|Venus]]'' at [[Horta, Azores|Horta]] Marina]]

In 2005, [[Atlânticoline]] was established, providing transport services.<ref name="ALine" /> In 2009, Atlanticoline was involved in a controversial rejection of a 750-passenger, 150-vehicle ship ordered from the Estaleiros de Viana do Castelo (ENVC).<ref name="ENVC">{{cite web |title="Atlântida" está há um ano ancorado em Lisboa e ainda sem destino |url=http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticia/atlantida-esta-ha-um-ano-ancorado-em-lisboa-e-ainda-sem-destino |language=pt |date=28 August 2012 |access-date=28 August 2012 |location=Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal |author=Agência Lusa/AO online/Hoje |archive-date=1 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501105244/http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticia/atlantida-esta-ha-um-ano-ancorado-em-lisboa-e-ainda-sem-destino |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Atlantida'', a 50&nbsp;million Euro cruiser (as part of a two-ship deal with the other named ''Anticiclone'') was rejected in 2009 by Atlanticoline for the under-performance of the power-plant.<ref name="ENVC" /> Although it would result in only a five-minute delay between islands, the public company rejected the ship, and the contract was broken over the builder's inability to deliver the required ship on time.<ref name="ENVC" /> While the ship was being shopped to other interested parties ([[Hugo Chávez]] once considered purchasing the ferryboat in 2010), no interested buyers appeared, and ENVC decided to cede the ''Atlantida'' to Atlânticoline as part of the latter's open international competition to charter two ships in 2012.<ref name="ENVC" />

In June 2011, the Regional Government announced that it would purchase 60% of Transmaçor, equivalent to 500,000 Euro of the company's capital. With this transaction the government took control of 88% of the capital of the company. The signed memorandum of understanding concluded negotiations between the various parties involved, under which the liability of Transmaçor (worth a total of 8&nbsp;million Euro) was divided equally between the government and businessman [[José E. Almeida]], who was previously the holder of a majority stake in the company.<ref name="StakeTransmacor">{{cite web |editor=AO Online |author=Lusa |title=Concluídas negociações para compra da Transmaçor |access-date=21 June 2011 |date=20 June 2011 |language=pt |url=http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticias/view/216797 |archive-date=6 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006091230/http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticias/view/216797 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Similarly, the Regional Government approved the consolidation of the three individual port authorities (Administração dos Portos do Triângulo e Grupo Ocidental, Administração dos Portos da Terceira e Graciosa and the Administração dos Portos das Ilhas de São Miguel e Santa Maria) and regional Portos dos Açores into one entity that resulted in a 2.2&nbsp;million Euro cost savings, in addition to a reduction from 11 to three administrators.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribunadasilhas.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2170:portos-dos-acores--fusao-administrativa-aprovada-na-assembleia-regional&catid=2:regional&Itemid=3 |title=Portos dos Açores – Fusão administrativa aprovada na Assembleia Regional |language=pt |date=8 June 2011 |access-date=5 September 2011 |first=Maria |last=Pinheiro |publisher=Tribuna das Ilhas |location=Horta, Portugal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711054523/http://www.tribunadasilhas.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2170%3Aportos-dos-acores--fusao-administrativa-aprovada-na-assembleia-regional&catid=2%3Aregional&Itemid=3 |archive-date=11 July 2011}}</ref>