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Airport Transportation

João Paulo II Airport

También conocido como: PDL Airport, Ponta Delgada Airport, Ponta Delgada João Paulo II Airport, São Miguel Airport, John Paul II Airport. Antes Nordela Airport.

PDL · LPPD · Ponta Delgada

Datos del aeropuerto

Nombre
João Paulo II Airport
Código IATA
PDL
Código OACI
LPPD
Ciudad
Ponta Delgada
País
Portugal
Coordenadas
37.7411, -25.6978
Zona horaria
Atlantic/Azores
Terminales
One passenger terminal with Schengen and non-Schengen gate areas

Sobre João Paulo II Airport

João Paulo II Airport (PDL) is the airport of Ponta Delgada on São Miguel in the Azores, Portugal. It is the hub of the SATA Group: Azores Airlines flies from here to Lisbon, Porto, Funchal and Faro, and across the Atlantic to Boston, New York, Toronto and Montreal, while SATA Air Açores links São Miguel with Terceira, Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Santa Maria and Flores. TAP Air Portugal flies to Lisbon, and in the summer season airlines such as United Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia and Transavia add flights from North America and Europe.

All flights use one passenger terminal, with separate gate areas for Schengen and non-Schengen flights.

The airport sits at Relva, less than 3 km west of Ponta Delgada city center, about a 10-minute drive from the marina and the Portas da Cidade. From here, travelers head into Ponta Delgada or across São Miguel to the crater lakes of Sete Cidades, the hot springs of Furnas, Ribeira Grande on the north coast, Lagoa and Vila Franca do Campo on the south coast, and Nordeste in the east.

Operador, pistas y tráfico del aeropuerto

Operator

ANA Aeroportos de Portugal (VINCI Airports)

Passengers per year

About 2.7 million in 2024

Runway

One runway, 12/30, about 2,500 m

Main airlines

Azores Airlines and SATA Air Açores (hub)

Opened

1969, as Nordela Airport; named João Paulo II in 1995

Consejos de llegada a João Paulo II Airport

Flights from mainland Portugal and other Schengen countries arrive as Schengen flights, so you walk straight to baggage claim with no passport control. If you fly in from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Cabo Verde, you arrive in the non-Schengen area and pass through border control first; non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System, which takes a photo and fingerprints on your first entry.

Collect your bags in the baggage claim hall, then walk through customs into the arrivals area on Level 0. Car rental desks sit near the exit doors, and taxis wait just outside arrivals.

The Azores run one hour behind Lisbon, on UTC−1 in winter and UTC+0 in summer, so reset your watch if you connected through mainland Portugal. The currency is the euro.

Transporte terrestre

Taxis and pre-booked transfers suit most arrivals, while a rental car is the usual choice for exploring São Miguel.

  • Taxi from Ponta Delgada airport

    Taxis wait outside the arrivals area and run on meters. The ride to Ponta Delgada city center usually takes about 10 minutes; adapted taxis can be arranged in advance through Cresaçor.

  • Rental car

    Seven rental companies, including Europcar, Hertz, Sixt and Ilha Verde, have desks in the terminal before security, open from early morning until midnight. Cars sell out in July and August, so book ahead.

  • Bolt and Uber

    Bolt operates on São Miguel and Uber added an electric-only service in April 2026. Drivers are few, so waits can be longer at busy times, and the apps are less practical outside Ponta Delgada.

  • Hotel shuttle

    Some Ponta Delgada hotels run shuttles for their guests. Ask your hotel before you travel whether it offers one and where to meet it.

  • Private transfer

    Pre-booked drivers meet passengers in the arrivals area and drive directly to hotels in Ponta Delgada or across the island, from Sete Cidades to Furnas. It suits families and groups with luggage.

Compara proveedores para tu dirección exacta

Escribe tu hotel para ver el precio y todos los proveedores que llegan hasta allí.

Reserva un traslado desde PDL

Terminales

Main Terminal

Handles all scheduled passenger flights, arrivals and departures, including inter-island flights. Gates are split between a Schengen area and a non-Schengen area for flights from North America, the United Kingdom and Cabo Verde.

Aerolíneas y destinos

Airlines flying to and from Ponta Delgada.

Air Canada Main Terminal

Toronto (seasonal)

Austrian Airlines Main Terminal

Vienna (seasonal)

Azores Airlines Main Terminal

Barcelona, Boston, Faro, Frankfurt (seasonal), Funchal, Lisbon, Montreal, New York (JFK), Paris (Charles de Gaulle), Porto, Praia, Toronto

Guía de la aerolínea

Binter Canarias Main Terminal

Gran Canaria (seasonal)

British Airways Main Terminal

London (Heathrow) (seasonal)

Edelweiss Main Terminal

Zurich (seasonal)

Eurowings Main Terminal

Düsseldorf (seasonal)

Iberia Main Terminal

Madrid (seasonal)

Lufthansa Main Terminal

Frankfurt (seasonal)

SATA Air Açores Main Terminal

Flores, Horta (Faial), Pico, Santa Maria, São Jorge, Terceira

Smartwings Main Terminal

Prague (seasonal)

TAP Air Portugal Main Terminal

Lisbon

Transavia Main Terminal

Amsterdam (seasonal)

United Airlines Main Terminal

Newark (seasonal)

WestJet Main Terminal

Toronto (seasonal)

Servicios e instalaciones

  • Restaurants and cafés

    Options include the n9ve restaurant, with dishes inspired by the nine Azorean islands, Cockpit, Go to Café, Fox Coffee Shop and Specially, landside and after security.

  • Shops and duty free

    Portugal Duty Free and a souvenir shop are in the terminal.

  • Currency exchange and ATMs

    A currency exchange counter is landside, and ATMs are in the terminal.

  • Wi-Fi

    Free Wi-Fi is available on the VINCI Airports wifi network.

  • Luggage lockers

    Forty-four luggage lockers stand near the central doors, outside the terminal, available 24 hours.

  • Car rental desks

    Seven rental companies have desks before security, open from 05:00 or 06:00 until midnight.

  • Fast Track

    A priority security lane is available for departing passengers; it does not replace check-in or boarding procedures.

  • Baby care

    Baby care rooms are available in the terminal.

Accesibilidad y asistencia al pasajero

  • Requesting assistance

    Ask for the MyWay assistance service when you book your flight, through your airline or travel agent, and no later than 48 hours before departure. The airline passes the request to the airport.

  • Reduced mobility

    On arrival, MyWay staff assist you from your seat through the terminal, including with baggage. When departing, call MyWay from the signposted MyWay telephone points; staff help with check-in, security, border control and boarding.

  • Service animals

    Guide dogs may move through the airport, including boarding areas. Check with your airline whether they can travel in the cabin.

  • Adapted taxis

    Accessible taxis can be booked in advance through Cresaçor, which the airport lists for passengers with reduced mobility.

Estacionamiento

P1 Short stay

Short-stay parking area at the airport for quick visits and pickups. Spaces can be reserved online with a voucher scanned at the entry.

P2 Medium and long stay

Parking area for longer stays, also bookable online in advance.

Kiss & Fly

Drop-off area at the departures curb for stops of up to 10 minutes.

Preguntas frecuentes

How far is Ponta Delgada airport from the city center?

João Paulo II Airport is less than 3 km west of Ponta Delgada city center, at Relva on São Miguel Island. The drive to the center, the marina and the Portas da Cidade usually takes about 10 minutes. Because the airport sits right on the edge of the city, it is also the starting point for road trips to Sete Cidades, Furnas and the rest of the island.

Is João Paulo II Airport the same as Ponta Delgada Airport?

Yes. João Paulo II Airport (PDL) is the airport of Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, often simply called Ponta Delgada Airport or PDL. It opened in 1969 as Nordela Airport and took the name of Pope John Paul II in May 1995. If your ticket shows the code PDL, you are landing on São Miguel.

Is Ponta Delgada the only airport in the Azores?

No. The Azores have an airport on each of their nine inhabited islands, including Lajes on Terceira, Horta on Faial, Pico, Santa Maria and Flores. Ponta Delgada (PDL) serves São Miguel. Check the airport code on your ticket: PDL means São Miguel, while TER means Terceira and HOR means Faial.

How many terminals does Ponta Delgada airport have?

João Paulo II Airport has one passenger terminal for all arrivals and departures, opened in 1995 and renovated since. Inside it, gates are split between a Schengen area, for flights from mainland Portugal and most of Europe, and a non-Schengen area for flights from North America, the United Kingdom and Cabo Verde.

Which airlines fly to Ponta Delgada?

Azores Airlines and SATA Air Açores, both part of the SATA Group, have their hub at Ponta Delgada. Azores Airlines flies to Lisbon, Porto, Funchal, Boston, New York, Toronto and Montreal, and SATA Air Açores links the other Azores islands. TAP Air Portugal, United Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, British Airways, Lufthansa and other airlines also fly here, many of them seasonally.

Can I fly from Ponta Delgada to the other Azores islands?

Yes. SATA Air Açores flies from Ponta Delgada to Terceira, Horta on Faial, Pico, Santa Maria, São Jorge and Flores, and adds extra flights in the summer months. Inter-island flights leave from the same terminal as international flights, so you do not need to change airports when connecting on São Miguel.

Will I go through passport control at Ponta Delgada?

It depends on where you fly from. Flights from mainland Portugal and other Schengen countries arrive as Schengen flights, with no passport control. Flights from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Cabo Verde arrive in the non-Schengen area, where non-EU travelers are checked at the border and registered in the EU Entry/Exit System.

Do I need a visa to visit the Azores?

The Azores are part of Portugal and the Schengen Area, so Portugal's entry rules apply. Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and many other countries can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your departure from the Schengen Area. Check current rules, including ETIAS, before you travel.

How do I get a taxi at Ponta Delgada airport?

Taxis wait outside the arrivals area of the terminal and run on meters. The ride to Ponta Delgada city center usually takes about 10 minutes. Travelers who need an adapted vehicle can contact Cresaçor, which the airport lists for accessible taxis, before they land.

Can I use Uber or Bolt at Ponta Delgada airport?

Bolt operates on São Miguel and covers trips from the airport into Ponta Delgada and nearby areas, and Uber started an electric-only service on the island in April 2026. Driver numbers are small, so cars can be scarce at busy times, and ride-hailing is less practical for trips to Furnas, Sete Cidades or the east of the island.

Can I rent a car at Ponta Delgada airport?

Yes. Autatlantis, Europcar, Guerin, Hertz, Ilha Verde, Sixt and Wayzor have desks in the terminal before security, open from early morning until midnight. Many visitors rent a car to explore São Miguel, so book ahead for July and August, when demand is high.

How far is Ponta Delgada airport from Furnas and Sete Cidades?

Sete Cidades is about 23 to 25 km from the airport, usually around 25 minutes by road, and Furnas is about 48 km away, roughly an hour's drive through Ribeira Grande. Fog and wet weather on the mountain roads can add time, especially in winter.

What time zone is Ponta Delgada in?

The Azores use Azores Time, UTC−1 in winter and UTC+0 in summer, when clocks move forward with the rest of Europe. That puts Ponta Delgada one hour behind Lisbon and mainland Portugal all year. Check that your connecting flight times and pickup times are read in local Azores time.

Who operates Ponta Delgada airport and how busy is it?

João Paulo II Airport is operated by ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, part of VINCI Airports. ANA reported about 2.7 million passengers in 2024, up 10.7 percent on 2023. The airport has one runway, 12/30, about 2,500 m long, and is the hub of Azores Airlines and SATA Air Açores.

¿Por qué reservar con Airport Transportation?

Ofrecemos transporte privado desde cualquier aeropuerto hasta cualquier hotel al mejor precio, y contamos con licencia y cobertura de responsabilidad total.

¿El transporte es privado o compartido?

Airport Transportation ofrece únicamente transporte privado: en vans, SUV de lujo o minibuses.

¿Los precios son por persona o por vehículo?

Los precios de nuestro sitio web son por vehículo, no por persona, según un rango de pasajeros.

¿Cuántas personas caben en una van?

Las vans normales llevan hasta 9 pasajeros, los minibuses hasta 16 y los SUV de lujo hasta 6 pasajeros.

¿Cómo los encuentro en el aeropuerto?

Sal por completo del aeropuerto. Verás a representantes con carteles: busca el logotipo de Airport Transportation o tu nombre.

¿Qué tipo de vehículos utilizan?

Habitualmente Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe y Chevrolet Suburban.

¿Cuentan con seguro?

Sí: contamos con un seguro de responsabilidad total para todos los pasajeros mientras usan nuestros servicios.

¿Ofrecen sillas para bebé?

Las sillas para bebé se proporcionan con aviso previo, sujetas a disponibilidad, con un máximo de una silla por vehículo.

¿Con cuánta antelación debo reservar?

Puedes reservar con cualquier antelación; sugerimos entre una semana y un día antes. También hay reservas para el mismo día.

¿Qué métodos de pago se aceptan?

PayPal es nuestro método de pago principal; también hay una opción de pago en efectivo al reservar por nuestro sitio web. Las tarjetas de crédito se aceptan a través de PayPal.

¿Los vehículos tienen aire acondicionado?

Sí: para tu comodidad, todas nuestras unidades cuentan con aire acondicionado.

¿Qué pasa si mi vuelo se retrasa?

Durante la reserva te pedimos tu aerolínea y número de vuelo para poder rastrear los retrasos y esperarte.

¿Puedo hacer paradas durante el trayecto?

Sí, puedes añadir una parada adicional a tu servicio durante el proceso de reserva.

¿Los niños pagan distinto que los adultos?

No: los precios se fijan por rango de pasajeros o por vehículo, no por edad.

¿Mi reserva es reembolsable?

Sí. Cancela sin coste hasta 24 horas antes de tu recogida y se te reembolsa el importe completo. Las cancelaciones con menos de 24 horas de antelación no son reembolsables.

¿Los conductores hablan inglés?

Sí: aunque su inglés puede no ser de nivel nativo, los conductores tienen la capacidad de comunicarse con los pasajeros.

¿Las propinas son obligatorias?

Las propinas no son obligatorias, pero sí muy recomendables; los conductores las ganan gracias a la calidad de su servicio.

¿Qué monedas se aceptan?

Todos los precios están en USD. A través de PayPal puedes pagar en casi cualquier moneda; los pagos en efectivo se aceptan solo en USD.

¿Se permiten mascotas?

Podemos transportar mascotas domésticas dentro de transportines que quepan en un vehículo normal.

¿Hay espacio para el equipaje?

Sí: hay espacio de sobra para una maleta y un equipaje de mano por persona.

¿Qué incluye el precio?

Todo traslado privado incluye un conductor profesional con licencia; un vehículo asegurado y en buen estado; seguimiento del vuelo en tiempo real; servicio de recepción a la llegada; y servicio puerta a puerta sin cargos ocultos añadidos después de reservar. Tu precio fijo cubre la ruta completa hasta tu destino.

Reserva un traslado desde PDL