AIRLINE REVIEW The Sevenair Group
Algarve coast and Viseu , situated between Vila Real and Braganca , to strengthen tourism to the beaches on the Algarve and the vineyards in the Douro Valley .
Sevenair said that the current PSO contract is due for renewal in February 2024 . Even though there was little indication of competition emerging for the route , it looked forward to submitting its proposal for consideration .
FLYING THE CIRCUIT
Flying on the Portimão- Braganca route is a passenger experience that is completely different from that one can have on any other commercial airline service in Europe .
The Portimão Aerodrome maintains the Algarve region ’ s laid-back atmosphere with its onsite café tables and parasols spilling out into the car park and tourists and passers-by enjoying the early morning sun . The airfield is predominantly a hub for skydiving . Sevenair ’ s Skydive Seven business occupies most of the hangar space , which lines the apron . Inside the airport building , the only trace of an airline service was a small notice stuck to the wall indicating that check-in would be open for 30 minutes prior to two scheduled flights planned for the day .
When I arrived , the aircraft was en route from Lisbon . An employee appeared and rolled up a set of shutters to reveal a compact check-in desk set nestled among the café and skydiving stores . From Portimão , I would fly to the end of the line at Braganca — effectively the opposite end of the country , right on the northeast border with Spain . It would be a foursector journey , with stops at Cascais , Viseu , and Vila Real .
Once I had my boarding pass , the Portuguese National Guard carried out a security check by hand , involving a pat down and rifle through my luggage before letting me enter the compact boarding area . The single gate area comprised a row of seats and a TV playing the aircraft safety demonstration on a loop . The ambiance was soon disrupted by the arrival of the Dornier 228 ( CS-AYT MSN 8084 ) from Cascais . The pre-boarding safety video minimized the crew ’ s onboard workload . I fully grasped their efficiency when only the port side engine was shut down for boarding and we were hurried out onto the apron . We boarded
5 Above the vineyards and small settlement of Bustelo on final approach to Runway 02 at Vila Real .
www . airwaysmag . com AIRWAYS MAGAZINE MARCH 2024 49