1975

Two foreign companies - "Dixon Spies Association" and "The Economist Intelligence Unit" – each began to undertake studies for the building of an intercontinental airport in the region. The documents were delivered in October of the same year, after which the company was selected.

Although it was difficult to choose just one place, given the mountainous nature of the terrain and the human occupation of the best sites, Dixon Spies studied 15 places which immediately seemed to have the right conditions for the operation of an intercontinental airport: Ponta do Pargo, Ponta São Lourenço, Santo Amaro, São Martinho, Prazeres, São Jorge, Santana, Porto da Cruz, Caniçal, Camacha, Câmara de Lobos, Porto Moniz, Santo da Serra, Paúl da Serra and Caniço.

Despite everything, it was concluded that the best site was still that of Santa Catarina, in Santa Cruz.