Teresa Mafalda Gonçalves, financial administrator of SATA since 2020, is the new president of the Azores company, which sees Luis Rodríguez leave at the end of March to head TAP, the president of the Azores government announced today.
“I focused on the solution. I immediately identified a succession profile in the process. [de privatização da SATA Internacional — Azores Airlines]. I invited and was accepted by Teresa Mafalda Gonçalves as president of SATA,” José Manuel Boleiru, PSD/CDS-PP/PPM CEO, told RTP/Açores.
Boleiro said that on Monday he was “faced with the decision of the government of the republic to call on the current president of SATA to lead TAP through a ‘telephone call from the prime minister’, reacting by saying ‘it caused a problem’ but also expressing ‘satisfaction with the route taken’ in the Azores islands.
“After I contacted the Prime Minister, I also received a message from Luis Rodriguez who said that there was an invitation. [para ser presidente da TAP] and that he made conditions to stay [na SATA]at least until the end of this month,” he described.
When asked about the statements of the region’s finance minister, who criticized the “lack of statehood” of the government of the republic, José Manuel Boleiro refused the role of “commentator”.
Boleirou also said he believes there is “no reason for misunderstanding” about the regional secretary’s and prime minister’s statements, as “both are confirmation of what really happened.”
“I received a contact for information. I was not booked for an appointment,” he said.
As for a possible clause in the contract that could stop Luis Rodriguez’s sudden departure, the head of the regional government acknowledged that there was none, but emphasized that he was “used to face all the difficulties” and “focus”. by decisions.” .
Teresa Mafalda Gonçalves was appointed Executive Board Member and Chief Financial Officer of Grupo SATA in January 2020, holds a postgraduate degree in finance from the New School of Business and Economics and a postgraduate degree in competition and regulation from the university’s Faculty of Law. Lisbon and licensed by the Catholic Lisbon School of Business and Economics.
Referring to statements by the Azores regional financial secretary, Prime Minister António Costa said today in Seixal that there was a “mistake” and that he himself spoke on the phone with José Manuel Bolleiro on Monday “at lunchtime”.
In response to journalists, he pointed out that the regional government “was not obliged to agree” with the decision and that he only intended to inform.
“[O presidente do governo dos Açores] well understood because [Luís Rodrigues] was the choice of perfection,” he said.
António Costa also said that Boleiro also “regrets” his choice as he prefers to continue relying on Luis Rodriguez.
Azores financial portfolio owner Duarte Freitas acknowledged that the SATA president’s departure is a “contradiction” and said the regional chief executive received “contact from the government of the republic around lunchtime” on Monday to “report that Luis Rodriguez was about to become TAP president.” .
“Public opinion should impose caution on this privatization process of SATA – Azores Airlines. This is a national issue. And we also understand that there are many wishes in the Azores that are communicated to the Government of the Republic, so it does not go”, criticized.
On February 7, the departure of Mario Chavez from the leadership of SATA Chaves was announced, who will replace Walter Fernandez as CEO of Portugalia from March.
With the departure of two elements, Teresa Mafalda Gonçalves (group financial director), Bernardo Ponte and João Crispim Ponte (non-executive directors) became members of the board of directors of SATA Holding.
In June, the European Commission approved a €453.25 million state aid to Portugal to support the airline’s restructuring in the form of loans and government guarantees, which includes “remedies” such as reorganization of the business structure.
The financial injection includes the divestment of a controlling stake (51%) of Azores Airlines, the expansion of ground handling activities and the reorganization of the SATA business structure with the creation of a “holding” that will replace SATA Air Açores in the management of its subsidiary. operations.
Azores Airlines flies to and from the archipelago, while SATA Air Açores flies between the islands.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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