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Cape Verde has several airports catering to both domestic and international flights. The main international airport is Amílcar Cabral International Airport (IATA: SID, ICAO: GVAC), also known as Sal International Airport. It was originally named Sal Island International Aerodrome and was designed in the 1930s by Raul Pires Ferreira Chaves, the Director of Public Works of Cape Verde at the time. The airport is located 2 kilometres west-southwest of Espargos on Sal Island and is named after the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral. Other international airports in Cape Verde include Praia International Airport, GVSV/Sao Pedro, and GVBA/Boa Vista.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Amílcar Cabral International Airport |
| Other names | Sal International Airport or Sal Airport, Sal Island International Aerodrome |
| Location | 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west-southwest from Espargos on Sal Island |
| Runway length | 3,272 m (10,734 ft) |
| Operators | Cabo Verde Express, Vinci Airports (since July 2023) |
| Use | Main international airport of Cape Verde for bizav and airline flights |
| History | Portuguese Air Force's No 1 Transit Airfield from 1963 to 1975, TACV service to Boston, Massachusetts from 1985 |
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What You'll Learn
Amílcar Cabral International Airport is Cape Verde's main airport
Amílcar Cabral International Airport, also known as Sal International Airport, is the main international airport of Cape Verde. The airport is named after the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral. It is located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west-southwest of Espargos on Sal Island. The airport was originally named Sal Island International Aerodrome and was designed in the late 1930s by Engineer Raul Pires Ferreira Chaves, who was the Director of Public Works of Cape Verde at the time. Amílcar Cabral International Airport has the longest runway in Cape Verde, at 3,272 metres (10,734 ft) in length.
In addition to Amílcar Cabral International Airport, there are several other airports in Cape Verde that handle international flights. These include Praia International Airport, which caters mainly to the Cape Verdean diaspora, and Sal Airport, which currently serves the tourist industry on Sal Island. GVSV/Sao Pedro and GVBA/Boa Vista are also international airports in Cape Verde.
Cape Verde is a small island country off the west coast of Africa, and its airports play an important role in connecting the country to the rest of the world. Amílcar Cabral International Airport, as the main international airport, is likely the busiest and most well-equipped of the airports in Cape Verde. The airport is operated by Cabo Verde Airports, a subsidiary of Vinci Airports, which finalized a concession agreement with the Cape Verde government in July 2023 to manage seven airports in the country for 40 years.
Over the years, Amílcar Cabral International Airport has undergone changes and improvements to accommodate the growing aviation needs of Cape Verde. Between 1963 and 1975, the airport served as the Portuguese Air Force's No 1 Transit Airfield. In 1985, TACV began servicing a route to Boston, Massachusetts, using a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft provided by LAM Mozambique Airlines. This route was significant as Boston hosts the largest Cape Verdean community in the United States. However, TACV flights to Boston have since been shifted to Praia International Airport.
Amílcar Cabral International Airport offers various facilities for passengers, including duty-free shops, refreshment areas, retail kiosks, and outdoor smoking areas located after security and passport control. The airport also serves as the head office for the airline Cabo Verde Express.
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It was previously named Sal Island International Aerodrome
Cape Verde's main international airport is Amílcar Cabral International Airport (IATA: SID, ICAO: GVAC), also known as Sal International Airport. The airport is located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west-southwest of Espargos on Sal Island. It was previously named Sal Island International Aerodrome and was designed in the late 1930s by Engineer Raul Pires Ferreira Chaves, who was the Director of Public Works of Cape Verde at the time. The airport was renamed after the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral.
Sal Airport previously handled all international flights to Cape Verde but now primarily serves the tourist industry on Sal Island. It is the airport best equipped to handle business and airline flights, with a 9843ft runway, 24-hour operations, and an FBO run by Safeport, in addition to other ground-handling services.
In July 2023, Vinci Airports finalised a deal to take over the management of seven airports in Cape Verde, including Amílcar Cabral International Airport, for 40 years. Vinci Airports will be responsible for funding, operations, maintenance, extension, and modernisation, alongside its subsidiary, ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal, which holds 30% of the concession company Cabo Verde Airports.
The airport has a main runway that is 3,272 metres (10,734 ft) long, making it the longest in Cape Verde. Cabo Verde Express, the country's premier airline, has its head office in the Concourse Hall. The airport also features two duty-free shops, refreshment facilities, retail kiosks, and outdoor smoking areas located after security scanning and passport control, adjacent to the six departure gates.
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It was designed by Raul Pires Ferreira Chaves
Cape Verde's main international airport is Amílcar Cabral International Airport (IATA: SID, ICAO: GVAC), also known as Sal International Airport. It is located 2 kilometres west-southwest of Espargos on Sal Island. The airport was originally named Sal Island International Aerodrome and was designed in the late 1930s by Engineer Raul Pires Ferreira Chaves, who was the Director of Public Works of Cape Verde at the time. Raul Pires Ferreira Chaves was responsible for the airport's design and construction, ensuring that it met the aviation needs of the country.
Chaves' vision for the airport was influenced by his engineering background and his experience in public works. He designed the airport to accommodate the growing aviation industry and to serve as a hub for both domestic and international flights. The airport's main runway, which is 3,272 metres long, is the longest in Cape Verde and can handle a high volume of air traffic.
The airport's infrastructure reflects Chaves' attention to detail and his commitment to creating a functional and efficient space. He considered factors such as passenger flow, aircraft movement, and the integration of necessary facilities. The airport includes duty-free shops, refreshment facilities, retail kiosks, and outdoor smoking areas, all strategically placed to enhance the passenger experience.
Raul Pires Ferreira Chaves' design has stood the test of time, with the airport remaining a vital gateway to Cape Verde today. In July 2023, Vinci Airports finalized a concession agreement with the Cape Verdean government to take over the management of seven airports in the country, including Amílcar Cabral International Airport. This agreement underscores the airport's continued importance and the ongoing relevance of Chaves' original design.
Over the years, the airport has undergone various operational changes. From 1963 to 1975, the Portuguese Air Force's No 1 Transit Airfield was installed at the airport. In 1985, TACV began servicing Boston, Massachusetts, a city with a significant Cape Verdean community. While the airport has adapted to meet changing demands, the foundational design by Raul Pires Ferreira Chaves remains a testament to his expertise and foresight in airport planning and development.
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The airport is named after revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral
Cape Verde's main international airport is Amílcar Cabral International Airport (IATA: SID, ICAO: GVAC), also known as Sal International Airport. The airport is located 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) west-southwest of Espargos on Sal Island. It was originally named Sal Island International Aerodrome when it was designed in the late 1930s by Engineer Raul Pires Ferreira Chaves, who was the Director of Public Works of Cape Verde at the time.
The airport is named after Amílcar Cabral, a revolutionary leader. From 1963 to 1975, the Portuguese Air Force's No 1 Transit Airfield was installed at the airport. At the time, Cape Verde was a Portuguese Overseas Province, and thus part of the territory of Portugal.
Amílcar Cabral International Airport has the longest runway in Cape Verde, at 3,272 metres (10,734 feet) in length. The airport is operated by Cabo Verde Airports, a subsidiary of Vinci Airports, which finalized a financial arrangement in July 2023 to take over seven airports in Cape Verde for 40 years.
Cabo Verde Express, which has its head office at the airport, offers flights to destinations such as Boston, Massachusetts, using a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 provided by LAM Mozambique Airlines. Boston is home to the largest Cape Verdean community in the United States.
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It is Cape Verde's longest runway
Cape Verde's main airport is Amílcar Cabral International Airport (IATA: SID, ICAO: GVAC), also known as Sal International Airport. It is located 2 kilometres west-southwest of Espargos on Sal Island. The airport was originally named Sal Island International Aerodrome and was designed in the late 1930s by Engineer Raul Pires Ferreira Chaves, who was the Director of Public Works of Cape Verde at the time.
Amílcar Cabral International Airport is named after the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral. It is the country's main international airport and is the longest runway in Cape Verde, spanning 3,272 metres (10,734 feet) in length.
The airport has a rich history, with the Portuguese Air Force's No 1 Transit Airfield (AT1, Aeródromo de Trânsito n.º 1) installed at the airport from 1963 to 1975. During this time, only Brazilian and Portuguese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in these countries could purchase tickets for flights departing from Cape Verde, which was then a Portuguese Overseas Province.
Today, the airport is a hub for various airlines, including TACV, which operates a route to Boston, Massachusetts, serving the largest Cape Verdean community in the United States. The airport also features duty-free shops, refreshment facilities, retail kiosks, and outdoor smoking areas located after security scanning and passport control, adjacent to the six departure gates.
In 2023, Vinci Airports finalised a financial arrangement to take over the management and development of Amílcar Cabral International Airport, along with six other airports in Cape Verde, as part of a 40-year concession agreement with the country's government.
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Frequently asked questions
Amílcar Cabral International Airport, also known as Sal International Airport, is the main international airport of Cape Verde.
The airport was originally named Sal Island International Aerodrome and was designed in the 1930s by Raul Pires Ferreira Chaves, the Director of Public Works of Cape Verde at the time. From 1963 to 1975, the Portuguese Air Force's No 1 Transit Airfield was installed at the airport. In 1985, TACV began service to Boston, Massachusetts, and flights to Boston have since been shifted to Praia International Airport.
Cabo Verde Express has its head office at Amílcar Cabral International Airport. The airport also has duty-free shops, refreshment facilities, retail kiosks, and outdoor smoking areas.
