Aviation in the Azores an era that was tumultuous, the democratic politicians debated a proposal in Portuguese National Assembly to regionalize the provision of services to the Azores and Madeira. Following these events, the increasingly autonomous governments of the Azores, between 1981 and 1983, built several airports to provide expanded service to the remaining islands. In addition to improvements at Horta Airport, the government of the Azores finalized construction of: Since the 1940s, the Portuguese flag carrier Transportes Aéreos Portugueses (today's TAP Portugal) operated regular flights to the Azores through the gateways in Ponta Delgada, Lajes and Vila do Porto. Meanwhile, a group of
Sabrina Island (Azores) meters in height (similar in respects to the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo) with an open ring to the northwest. From the central ring debris escaped into the sea. On June 12, the eruption was visible by the British sloop "Sabrina", which was patrolling the Azores. Commander James Tillard, thinking that the grey clouds in the area were from a naval battle, sailed to the area but found a situation that was quite different than he originally imagined. He later wrote a description of the eruption and his visit to the island for the "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal