After 8-year absence, Azores flights return to T.F. Green

WARWICK, R.I. — Forty-two people arrived Thursday at T.F. Green Airport on the inaugural flight from the Azores, as service resumed between the archipelago and Rhode Island. As part of the celebration, a water salute was held, in which the plane was sprayed by rescue and fire equipment.

Flights from T.F. Green to the Azores were suspended in 2008. A deal to restart the service was announced in March.

Azores Airlines will operate one flight each week to and from Ponta Delgada, on the island of Sao Miguel, through Sept. 1. An Airbus 310 — with 222 seats, including business and economy class — will carry the passengers.

The Azores is a nine-island autonomous region of Portugal, located about 850 miles west of the Portuguese mainland.

Many people from the Azores came to New England due to the whaling industry, back in the 19th century.

It's the third international service offered from the Providence area in the past year. The others are year-round flights to Cape Verde and seasonal service to Frankfurt, Germany.

With Associated Press reports.