Santa Maria is the easternmost island of the Azores, and its airport has a very long runway. Private jet charter at Santa Maria Airport suits jets of every size, since the runway is 3,048 metres and customs is on site 24 hours. Omni Handling is the listed handler, and Charter-A coordinates with them on fuel, timings and customs.
Charter-A arranges the aircraft, the handling and the timings, and confirms them at booking. Everything is subject to availability.
Flying privately to Santa Maria Azores
The airport is open daily 06:45 to 21:30 local. Customs and immigration are available 24 hours. Fuel runs 08:00 to 20:00, with other times on request with an hour's notice and a surcharge. Omni Handling is the listed handler.
Reopening after closing for non-emergency flights must be approved by the airport administration by 20:00 local. The runway is 18/36, 3,048 by 60 metres, concrete. Seasonal bird activity is noted near the apron in March to June and September to November, and larger aircraft are restricted from some taxiways while the runway is in use. Charter-A confirms your arrangements with the handler.
Santa Maria airport guide
A one-page Charter-A information sheet to keep or pass to your driver: runway, hours, customs, handling and where to arrive.
Download the PDF (383 KB)Santa Maria Airport at a glance
| Location | Aeroporto de Santa Maria, Vila do Porto, 9580-908 |
|---|---|
| Codes | ICAO LPAZ · IATA SMA |
| Region | Azores (Santa Maria), Portugal |
| Nearest city | Vila do Porto — About 5 km from Vila do Porto town hall |
| Opening hours | Daily 06:45–21:30 local. Customs and immigration 24 hours. Extra opening must be justified and approved by 20:00 local. |
| Customs & immigration | Yes – on site, 24 hours |
| Runway | 18/36 – 3,048 m × 60 m concrete |
| Private jets | Yes — very long runway, suitable for large jets |
| Handling / FBO | Omni Handling |
| Airport website | ana.pt |
Details checked 30 September 2026 against the airport’s own published information (ais.nav.pt, omnihandling.com, en.wikipedia.org). Hours, customs and handling are reconfirmed for every flight at booking.
Why fly to Vila do Porto
Santa Maria is a small, sunny island in the eastern Azores, with beaches and a white-walled village tradition. The airport is about 5 km from Vila do Porto. The airport is close to the main village. Charter-A can advise on road transfers once your plans are fixed.
Private jet flight times to Santa Maria Azores
| From | Distance | Light jet | Midsize or heavy jet |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 1,375 nm · 2,550 km | 4 hr 10 min | 3 hr 30 min |
| Manchester | 1,370 nm · 2,540 km | 4 hr 10 min | 3 hr 30 min |
| Edinburgh | 1,440 nm · 2,670 km | 4 hr 20 min | 3 hr 40 min |
| Paris | 1,400 nm · 2,590 km | 4 hr 15 min | 3 hr 35 min |
| Geneva | 1,500 nm · 2,780 km | 4 hr 30 min | 3 hr 50 min |
| Nice | 1,525 nm · 2,830 km | 4 hr 35 min | 3 hr 55 min |
Approximate airborne times in still air, worked out from the great-circle distance. Routing, winds and the aircraft chosen change them on the day; your quote gives the planned time for your flight.
Which aircraft?
From London, Santa Maria Azores is a sector of about 1,370 nautical miles. Midsize jets and super midsize jets fly it non-stop; smaller jets may add a fuel stop. Heavy jets suit larger groups. Non-stop range always depends on passengers, baggage and the winds on the day.
Santa Maria Azores: your questions answered
Can a private jet land at Santa Maria Airport?
Yes. The runway is 3,048 by 60 metres and suits large jets. Charter-A confirms handling and any taxiway restrictions for your aircraft. We confirm handling at booking.
What are the hours at Santa Maria Airport?
Daily 06:45 to 21:30 local, with customs and immigration 24 hours. Reopening after closing must be approved by 20:00 local. Charter-A plans around this. We plan your timings around it.
How far is Santa Maria Airport from Vila do Porto?
About 5 km from Vila do Porto town hall. Charter-A confirms transfers at booking.
How long is the flight from London to Santa Maria Azores by private jet?
About 4 hr 10 min in a light jet and 3 hr 30 min in a midsize or heavy jet, over roughly 1,375 nautical miles. These are approximate airborne times; routing and winds change them on the day.
Is there an airport guide for Santa Maria Airport I can download?
Yes. Charter-A’s airport information sheet for Santa Maria Airport is free to download from this page as a PDF. It sets out the runway, opening hours, customs, handling agents and where to arrive for a private flight.
Planning a private flight
- How much does it cost to charter a private jet?
- How much notice do you need to charter a private jet?
- How early do you arrive for a private jet, and is there security?
- Which size of private jet do I need?
- How much luggage can you take on a private jet?
- Can I take my dog on a private jet?
Private jet airports near Santa Maria Azores
- Private jet Ponta Delgada LPPD · 61 miles
- Private jet Terceira Lajes LPLA · 162 miles
- Private jet Horta LPHR · 221 miles
- Private jet Madeira LPMA · 560 miles
- Private jet Porto Santo LPPS · 567 miles
- Private jet La Palma GCLA · 719 miles
All private jet airports in Portugal · All destinations