AZORES | José Manuel Bolieiro met with Pico Island Council, highlighting accessibility, health and economic development as priorities

The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, met on Tuesday with the Pico Island Council as part of the Regional Government’s statutory visit to the island. The meeting took place after working meetings with the three municipalities of Pico and was an opportunity to assess the main priorities and challenges identified by the island’s representative forces.

The head of the Azorean Government considered that the meeting was positive, emphasising that the Government has sought to respond to the issues raised in the memorandum presented by the Island Council.

“It was a very productive meeting, during which we had the opportunity to analyse the concerns and aspirations of Pico Island as well as to present the work currently underway, with appropriate responses to the issues that were raised,” he said.

Among the key topics was the expansion of the Pico Airport runway, considered a long-standing demand and a strategic priority for the island. The President of the Government recalled that the Regional Government has already committed to moving forward with this solution, emphasising the importance of improving air accessibility and reducing current operational constraints.

“Our strategic goal is to improve accessibility to Pico Island and reduce the constraints on the airport’s running and operating conditions. We are working together towards this goal,” José Manuel Bolieiro stated, noting that a working group has been set up involving the Regional Government, local authorities and other key players on the island.

“We will do everything we can to shorten the inevitable delays associated with the complexity of these matters, seeking technically viable and feasible solutions,” he added.

Healthcare access was another priority highlighted at the meeting, particularly relevant on islands that do not have a hospital and where retaining healthcare professionals is more challenging. The President of the Government reiterated his commitment to improving GP coverage for the population, a process underway with the hiring of new professionals.

In addition to the reorganisation of human resources, José Manuel Bolieiro highlighted the project to build a new Health Centre in Lajes do Pico from scratch, an infrastructure considered essential to improve the quality of primary healthcare.

The most recent data also show a significant increase in healthcare activity on the island. In 2025, there were 241 visits by specialist doctors to Pico, 19% more than in 2024, with 4,881 consultations carried out by these professionals, an increase of 5% over the previous year. Around 42% of these consultations concerned the areas of physiatry and internal medicine, with 230 teleconsultations also recorded, an increase of 68% compared to 2024.

In the area of education, the Regional Government has been assessing the need for school infrastructure renovation with a view to improving teaching conditions. In the 2025/2026 school year, the teaching staff at the island’s three basic education and secondary schools increased by 4% compared to the previous year. There was also a surplus of operational and technical assistants, further strengthening the response capacity of the education system.

Social matters were also addressed at the meeting, with emphasis on investments made in partnership with the Santas Casas da Misericórdia (charities), which have made it possible to improve and expand social services, particularly in nursing homes.

The economy and production were also topics under analysis, reflecting the population’s concern with the island’s economic dynamics, which is establishing itself as a productive territory, strongly linked to agriculture, wine production, and tourism. Recent indicators show positive developments: between 2016 and 2021, the island’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 14%, maintaining a contribution of 4.8% to the regional GDP.

In the transport and mobility sector, there was a 35% increase in maritime freight in 2024 compared to the previous year. As for inter-island air transport, the occupancy rate of flights to Pico reached 84% in 2025, up from 81% in 2024, reflecting growing demand that highlights the importance of accessibility for the island’s development.

The business sector has also seen positive developments, with a 7% growth in companies’ turnover.

For José Manuel Bolieiro, these indicators demonstrate Pico’s potential and dynamics, underlining the importance of continuing to invest in structural areas.

“The island’s development is achieved through better accessibility, better public services, investment in education and health, and a dynamic economy based on production and tourism,” he said.

The President of the Government also emphasised that the meeting with the Island Council highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue between the Azorean Government and the institutions representing Pico society.

“It is in this spirit of cooperation and open dialogue that we continue to work to address the priorities of Pico Island as well as promote the balanced development of the Azores,” he concluded.

GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU