Ruth Haines
Cape Verde is an archipelago that has historically relied on airports for its economy and development, as it is impossible to have terrestrial links between its main cities and towns. The country has several airports catering to both domestic and international flights. Amílcar Cabral International Airport, also known as Sal International Airport, is the main international airport in Cape Verde. The airport is named after the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral and is located near Espargos on Sal Island. Other international airports in Cape Verde include Praia International Airport on Santiago Island and Nelson Mandela International Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main International Airport | Amílcar Cabral International Airport (also known as Sal International Airport) |
| IATA | SID |
| ICAO | GVAC |
| Location | 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west-southwest from Espargos on Sal Island |
| Runway Length | 3,272 m (10,734 ft) |
| Historical Use | Used by the Portuguese Air Force from 1963 to 1975; Refueling stop for South African Airways in the 1980s |
| Other International Airports | Praia Airport, Nelson Mandela International Airport |
| Domestic Airports | Every island except Brava and Santo Antão has a domestic airport |
| Airlines | TAP Air Portugal, EasyJet, Ryanair, SATA, Cabo Verde Airlines, Cabo Verde Express |
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What You'll Learn
Cape Verde's main international airport
Cape Verde has several airports catering to both international and domestic flights. The main international airport in Cape Verde is Amílcar Cabral International Airport (IATA: SID, ICAO: GVAC), also known as Sal International Airport. The airport is located 2 kilometres west-southwest of Espargos on Sal Island. Sal is the main hub for the national airline, Cabo Verde Airlines, and serves as a base for the carrier Cabo Verde Express. The airport's main runway, which is the longest in Cape Verde at 3,272 metres (10,734 feet), is used for long-haul flights. The airport was previously the only airport in Cape Verde to serve international flights until September 2005, when the Praia International Airport, located on Santiago Island, was opened to international flights.
The history of Amílcar Cabral International Airport dates back to 1939 when Italy built the first airport on Sal Island as a fuel and provisions stop on routes from Europe to South America. The airport changed hands after World War II, with the Portuguese colonial government purchasing it from Italy. By 1949, the airport was fully operational. From 1963 to 1975, the Portuguese Air Force's No 1 Transit Airfield was installed at the airport, supporting military air connections and serving as a base for maritime patrol aircraft.
Sal Airport has played a significant role in aviation and space exploration. It was designated as an emergency landing strip for the U.S. Space Shuttle and was also one of NASA's facilities for handling the Space Shuttle after its re-entry from orbit. Additionally, the airport has been used as a refuelling stop by various airlines, including South African Airways during their flights to and from Europe due to the denial of landing rights in most African countries because of the international boycott of apartheid.
Cape Verde has a total of seven airports, with each island, except Brava and Santo Antão, having a domestic airport. These airports play a crucial role in the country's economy and development, providing essential infrastructure for both international and domestic travel.
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Amílcar Cabral International Airport
The airport's main runway is 3,272 m (10,734 ft) long, making it the longest in Cape Verde. It is used for long-haul flights and was designated as an emergency landing strip for the U.S. Space Shuttle. The second runway, which is 1,500 m (4,921 ft) long and was used by small planes, is now closed for traffic. Amílcar Cabral has one terminal building with two storeys, housing check-in, waiting, and arrival areas, as well as shopping, banking, and passenger services. The second floor contains airport operations and airline offices. There are four gates, and buses are used to transport passengers to the aircraft stands.
The airport was first built by Italy in 1939 as a fuel and provisions stop on routes from Europe to South America. The first flight arrived from Rome and Seville on December 15, 1939. After World War II, the airport was purchased by the Portuguese colonial government from Italy, and by 1949 it was fully operational. From 1963 to 1975, the Portuguese Air Force's No 1 Transit Airfield was installed at the airport, supporting military air connections between European Portugal and the Portuguese African provinces.
In recent years, the airport has undergone significant improvements, with new infrastructure, gift shops, duty-free shops, cafes, restaurants, and a waiting room. The town of Santa Maria, located near the airport, has also seen a boom in construction, with new hotels and resorts catering to the growing tourism industry on the island.
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International flights to Cape Verde
Cape Verde has 7 airports, with the Amílcar Cabral International Airport (also known as Sal International Airport) being the main international airport. The airport is located 2 kilometres west-southwest of Espargos on Sal Island. The airport was previously the only airport in Cape Verde to serve international flights until September 2005, when the Nelson Mandela International Airport on Praia was opened for international flights. The airport's main runway is 3,272 m long, making it the longest in Cape Verde. It is used for long-haul flights.
There are 14 airlines that fly from the United States to Cape Verde. The most popular route is from Logan Airport in Boston to Nelson Mandela International Airport in Praia, with an average flight time of 13 hours 59 minutes and a round trip cost of $1,218. Other popular routes from the United States include flights from Logan Airport to Cesària Evora Airport and from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport.
When booking flights to Cape Verde, it is recommended to book a few months in advance to find cheaper fares. Off-peak travel is also a great way to save money, as prices tend to be lower during these times. Additionally, playing around with different flight options and dates can help identify the cheapest times to travel.
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Domestic airports in Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an archipelago, which means that domestic airports are an essential infrastructural need to connect its main cities and towns. Every island in Cape Verde, except Brava and Santo Antão, has a domestic airport.
The main international airport in Cape Verde is Amílcar Cabral International Airport (IATA: SID, ICAO: GVAC), also known as Sal International Airport. It is located 2 kilometres west of Espargos on Sal Island. The airport is the main hub for the national airline, Cabo Verde Airlines, and serves as a base for the carrier Cabo Verde Express. The airport's main runway is 3,272 metres long, making it the longest in Cape Verde. It is used for long-haul flights and was once a designated emergency landing site for the U.S. Space Shuttle.
In addition to Sal Airport, there are several other domestic airports in Cape Verde. One of these is Praia Airport, which opened to international flights in September 2005 and primarily caters to the Cape Verdian diaspora. Another is the São Pedro Airport on the island of São Vicente, which became an international airport in late 2009.
In July 2023, Vinci Airports finalised a financial arrangement to take over seven airports in Cape Verde under a concession agreement with the country's government. As part of this agreement, Vinci Airports will be responsible for the funding, operation, maintenance, extension, and modernisation of the airports for 40 years.
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Airlines flying to Cape Verde
Cape Verde has more than two airports where you can travel from any location. The major airports in Cape Verde are:
Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID)
Also known as Sal International Airport, this airport is the main international airport in Cape Verde. It is located 2 kilometres west-southwest of Espargos on Sal Island. The airport is named after the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral. Sal is the main hub for the national airline, Cabo Verde Airlines, and serves as a base for the carrier Cabo Verde Express. This airport was also one of NASA's locations for a facility to handle the Space Shuttle after it re-entered orbit. The airport's main runway is 3,272 metres long, making it the longest in Cape Verde. It is used for long-haul flights.
Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
Located in Praia, Cape Verde's capital, this airport has been serving international flights since September 2005.
Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC)
This airport is located in Boa Vista.
Praia International Airport (RAI)
This airport is located in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde.
Rabil Airport (BVC)
Maio Airport (MMO)
São Filipe Airport (SFL)
Preguiça Airport (SNE)
In addition to the above, the São Pedro Airport on the island of São Vicente became an international airport in late 2009.
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Frequently asked questions
The main international airport in Cape Verde is Amílcar Cabral International Airport, also known as Sal International Airport.
There is also an international airport on the island of Santiago in Cape Verde, called Praia International Airport. Another international airport in Cape Verde is the São Pedro Airport on the island of São Vicente.
Cabo Verde Airlines is the national airline of Cape Verde and is based at Amílcar Cabral International Airport. Cabo Verde Express also operates out of the airport.
