Cabo Verde Airlines has announced the resumption of its flights between Cape Verde and Paris after more than three years of absence. From July 23, 2023, the airline will operate two flights per week between Praia-Nelson Mandela and Paris-CDG airport, operated by a Boeing 737-700 that can accommodate 12 passengers in Business class and 108 in Economy. Departures are scheduled on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. to arrive at 6:30 p.m., with return flights leaving France on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. to land at 2:20 p.m.

In addition to the Paris routes, Cabo Verde Airlines will also connect two other airports to the French capital starting from July 24, with a Boeing 737-700 taking off from Roissy to arrive at 2:20 p.m. in Sao Vicente-Cesaria Evoria then at 4:00 p.m. at its base in Sal-Amicar Cabral; it will leave on Wednesday at 7:45 a.m. and take off from Sao Vicente at 9:30 a.m. to land at 6:30 p.m. in Paris. Cabo Verde Airlines will compete with Azores Airlines in Praia, with Transavia France in Sal and without competition in Sao Vicente.

The airline had been grounded by the Covid-19 pandemic for 15 months but announced the resumption of its operations in June 2021, initially between Sal and Lisbon, its only other international destination at the time, with three weekly rotations.

After being renationalized in July 2021, Cabo Verde Airlines has just one 737-700 (D3-CCI) in its fleet, but it is expecting a second aircraft for July, a Boeing 737 MAX 8.

Also known as the Transportes Aéreos de Cabo Verde (TACV), the Cape Verde’s flag carrier, will lease the second aircraft to add to its only 737-700. The airline has launched a competition with its customers to baptize the future aircraft, with “Cidade Velha”, “Morabeza”, and “Esperança” currently leading the suggestions.

TACV had suspended its operations during the Covid-19 pandemic and relaunched its route between Praia-Nelson Mandela and Lisbon at the end of 2021, with Humberto Delgado Airport now also being served from Sal and Sao Vicente-Cesaria Evoria.

Renationalized in July 2021, TACV has transported 28,000 passengers since resuming operations. According to the Minister of Transport Carlos Santos, TACV is “in negotiation to rent a second plane to connect to Boston”, a city that, along with Brazil and France, is part of the airline’s plan for the near future “to be able to bring and promote more and more this interconnection with the diaspora, in the midst of all this turmoil.”

TACV has received state aid several times during the pandemic.

In February last year, the Cape Verdean government had granted another guarantee for a loan of USD 1.58 million to TACV, in view of “emergency needs”, such as the payment of salaries.

In March 2019, the State of Cape Verde sold 51% of TACV for USD to Lofleidir Cabo Verde, a company 70% owned by Loftleidir Icelandic EHF (Icelandair group, which took 36% of Cabo Verde Airlines — company’s trade name) and 30% by Icelandic entrepreneurs with experience in the aviation sector (who took over the remaining 15% of the privatized 51% share).

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Victor Shalton

Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.

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