List of Airports in Cape Verde

As of 2024, there are 10 airports throughout the country of Cape Verde according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Cape Verde are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.

Airports in Cape Verde

List of All Airports in Cape Verde

# Airport Abbreviation Location Size
1 Amilcar Cabral International Airport SID Sal Medium
2 Esperadinha Airport BVR Brava Small
3 Francisco Mendes Airport RAI Praia Small
4 Mosteiros Airport MTI Mosteiros Small
5 Preguica Airport SNE Sao Nicolau Small
6 Rabil Airport BVC Boa Vista Small
7 San Pedro Airport VXE Sao Vicente Small
8 Santo Antao Airport NTO Santo Antao Small
9 Sao Filipe Airport SFL Sao Filipe Small
10 Vila Do Maio Airport MMO Maio Small

Major Airports in Cape Verde

1. Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID)

Airport Code

SID

Time Zone

UTC -1 (Cape Verde Time)

Address

Amílcar Cabral International Airport, Espargos, Sal Island, Cape Verde

Nearby Cities

  • Espargos (3 miles)
  • Santa Maria (11 miles)
  • Mindelo (60 miles)

Major Airlines Served

  • TAP Air Portugal
  • TACV Cabo Verde Airlines
  • Royal Air Maroc
  • Azores Airlines
  • Air Senegal

Annual Passenger Traffic

Approximately 1.5 million passengers (2023)

Airport Location and History

Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) is the busiest airport in Cape Verde, located on Sal Island, which is a popular destination for tourists. Opened in 2005, it is named after Amílcar Cabral, a revolutionary leader from Cape Verde. SID serves as a key gateway to the islands, handling both international and domestic flights. The airport’s strategic location on Sal Island, which is one of the most developed tourist destinations in Cape Verde, makes it an important hub for tourism and international trade. Over the years, the airport has seen significant growth due to the increasing number of tourists visiting Cape Verde, particularly from Europe. It is well-connected to major European and African cities.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Amílcar Cabral International Airport has one terminal and one runway:

  • Runway 07/25: 3,300 meters (10,827 feet)

The airport can handle large aircraft, including wide-body jets like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A330. The terminal offers a variety of services, including check-in counters, baggage handling, duty-free shopping, restaurants, lounges, and car rental facilities. The airport is well connected to the surrounding areas via taxis and shuttle services, making it easily accessible for both tourists and locals. The airport is continually upgrading its facilities to accommodate growing passenger traffic and support the increasing importance of tourism in the local economy.

2. Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)

Airport Code

RAI

Time Zone

UTC -1 (Cape Verde Time)

Address

Nelson Mandela International Airport, Praia, Santiago Island, Cape Verde

Nearby Cities

  • Praia (2 miles)
  • Assomada (21 miles)
  • Tarrafal (34 miles)

Major Airlines Served

  • TACV Cabo Verde Airlines
  • TAP Air Portugal
  • Royal Air Maroc
  • Air Senegal
  • Binter Canarias

Annual Passenger Traffic

Approximately 400,000 passengers (2023)

Airport Location and History

Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI) serves the capital city of Cape Verde, Praia, located on Santiago Island. The airport was originally opened in 2005 as Praia International Airport, but it was renamed in honor of the South African leader Nelson Mandela in 2011. RAI is the second-largest airport in Cape Verde and plays a key role in the country’s domestic and international air traffic, particularly for flights connecting Cape Verde with Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The airport has been growing steadily in terms of passenger traffic, especially due to increased tourism and business activity in Praia, the economic and political heart of Cape Verde.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Nelson Mandela International Airport has one terminal and one runway:

  • Runway 10/28: 3,000 meters (9,843 feet)

The airport can accommodate medium to large aircraft, including wide-body jets such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A330. The terminal offers a range of services, including check-in counters, baggage handling, duty-free shops, lounges, restaurants, and car rental services. The airport is connected to Praia’s city center by taxis and shuttle services, ensuring convenient access for passengers. Ongoing renovations are designed to enhance the capacity and service offerings, allowing it to handle increasing demand for international and domestic travel.

3. Cesária Évora International Airport (VXE)

Airport Code

VXE

Time Zone

UTC -1 (Cape Verde Time)

Address

Cesária Évora International Airport, São Vicente Island, Cape Verde

Nearby Cities

  • Mindelo (5 miles)
  • Sal Rei (118 miles)
  • Praia (130 miles)

Major Airlines Served

  • TACV Cabo Verde Airlines
  • TAP Air Portugal
  • Binter Canarias
  • Azores Airlines

Annual Passenger Traffic

Approximately 250,000 passengers (2023)

Airport Location and History

Cesária Évora International Airport (VXE) serves Mindelo on São Vicente Island and is named after Cesária Évora, a famous Cape Verdean singer known for her contribution to world music. Opened in 2005, it is the third-busiest airport in Cape Verde and serves as a key entry point for visitors to São Vicente, an island known for its rich culture and historical significance. VXE has been steadily increasing its passenger traffic due to the growing popularity of São Vicente as a tourist destination, particularly among travelers interested in Cape Verdean music, culture, and festivals.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Cesária Évora International Airport has one terminal and one runway:

  • Runway 13/31: 2,300 meters (7,546 feet)

The airport can handle smaller to medium-sized aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, but it is not equipped to handle large wide-body aircraft. The terminal provides services such as check-in counters, baggage handling, duty-free shopping, restaurants, and lounges. VXE is well connected to the city of Mindelo and surrounding areas via taxis and shuttle services. The airport plays a vital role in connecting São Vicente to other islands in Cape Verde and international destinations, particularly to Europe.

4. São Filipe Airport (SFL)

Airport Code

SFL

Time Zone

UTC -1 (Cape Verde Time)

Address

São Filipe Airport, Fogo Island, Cape Verde

Nearby Cities

  • São Filipe (3 miles)
  • Mosteiros (22 miles)
  • Praia (175 miles)

Major Airlines Served

  • TACV Cabo Verde Airlines

Annual Passenger Traffic

Approximately 10,000 passengers (2023)

Airport Location and History

São Filipe Airport (SFL) serves the island of Fogo, known for its active volcano, Mount Fogo. Located near the town of São Filipe, the airport plays a vital role in connecting Fogo Island to the rest of Cape Verde, particularly to Praia and São Vicente. The airport opened in the 1990s and has remained relatively small, serving primarily domestic flights. While it does not handle large international flights, it is important for local transportation and tourism, particularly for those visiting the island’s unique landscapes, including the volcano and nearby natural reserves.

Facilities and Infrastructure

São Filipe Airport has one terminal and one runway:

  • Runway 04/22: 1,500 meters (4,921 feet)

The runway is suitable for smaller aircraft such as the ATR 42 and Cessna 208, but it cannot accommodate larger, wide-body aircraft. The terminal provides basic services such as check-in counters and baggage handling. The airport is vital for residents and visitors traveling to Fogo Island and offers essential connectivity to other Cape Verde islands. As Fogo continues to develop as a tourism destination, plans for upgrading the airport’s infrastructure may be explored in the future.

5. Praia Municipal Airport (RGA)

Airport Code

RGA

Time Zone

UTC -1 (Cape Verde Time)

Address

Praia Municipal Airport, Praia, Santiago Island, Cape Verde

Nearby Cities

  • Praia (3 miles)
  • Assomada (21 miles)
  • Tarrafal (34 miles)

Major Airlines Served

  • N/A (Mainly domestic flights)

Annual Passenger Traffic

Approximately 5,000 passengers (2023)

Airport Location and History

Praia Municipal Airport is a small domestic airport located in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. The airport primarily handles short-haul flights to nearby islands such as São Vicente and Sal. It has been operating for many years, serving as a secondary airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI). Praia Municipal Airport’s role is critical for local travel within Cape Verde, offering quicker, smaller regional flights. While it does not handle international traffic, it is an essential link in the country’s air transport network, providing vital connections for local commuters and supporting business activities.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Praia Municipal Airport has one terminal and one runway:

  • Runway 14/32: 1,200 meters (3,937 feet)

The airport is suitable for small aircraft like the Cessna Caravan and other regional planes but is not capable of handling larger aircraft. The terminal offers basic facilities, including check-in counters and baggage handling. Although the airport does not cater to large-scale commercial flights, it remains important for domestic connectivity. Praia Municipal Airport continues to serve local needs, and while it lacks extensive infrastructure, it is vital for the flow of people and goods between Cape Verde’s islands.