Sixty years of flying across the Atlantic Ocean, and seventy years of history, have shaped the Grupo SATA. Over these years, and particularly in the last decade, the Grupo SATA has grown steadily, and with increasing success. Grupo SATA has come a long way from its origins in the 1940´s. Today over 1200 employees and associates contribute their expertise and commitment to the growth and development of the company. Grupo SATA grew from SATA EP to SATA SGPS, and in the process diversified its range of activities, becoming a more flexible and capable company, prepared for the challenges presented by current times. The five enterprises comprising the Grupo SATA include two airlines, two tour operators and an airfield management division. The origins of the Grupo SATA go back to the year 1941 when the five founding members created the ?Azorean Society for Air Travel Studies?, whose aim was to end the isolation of the islands. Like many other successful projects, the Grupo SATA was born of a simple idea. The founders believed that the strategic location, uniqueness and natural beauty of the nine Azorean islands provided sufficient motivation to create a strong, successful company. Over six decades have passed ? despite the many difficulties encountered over the years, time has proven them right. An ambitious project, the Grupo SATA took off on the 15th of June 1947, when a small Beechcraft aeroplane, symbolically named ?Açor?, made the first commercial flight. Today the company plays a major role in providing accessibility for those who live on the islands ? in addition, becoming an invaluable ally for the growth and development of tourist activity in the Azores. Six decades of flying have provided the Grupo SATA with real aeronautics ?know-how?. Under the blue skies and over the blue ocean the company strives to bring the soul of the Azores to every aspect of its? activities. Our mission is to bring the world to the Azores and the Azores to the world. We are proud to pursue the ideals of our founders, to the highest levels of quality and service.