Cape Verde Pilots Slam Talk of National Airline Liquidation
The National Union of Civil Aviation Pilots (SNPAC) has issued a scathing response to the Cape Verdean government, describing recent ministerial comments regarding the possible closure of the state-owned airline, Transportes Aéreos de Cabo Verde (TACV), as a “heavy blow” to the carrier’s survival.
A Crisis of Credibility
The union’s reaction comes in the wake of statements made by the newly appointed Minister of Transport, João do Carmo. On Thursday, do Carmo admitted that the government is considering all options for the airline’s future—including liquidation—stating that the state can no longer shoulder the company’s mounting monthly losses.
“Recent public statements regarding a possible closure or liquidation of TACV constitute another heavy blow to the company’s credibility,” the SNPAC stated in a press release shared on social media. The union argued that such rhetoric undermines the airline at a critical juncture when it should be capitalizing on increased tourism and the international visibility brought by Cape Verde’s national football team.
“A Bucket of Cold Water”
The pilots’ union expressed frustration that the government’s outlook has effectively “thrown a bucket of cold water” over any remaining confidence in the airline. They highlighted that the staff has remained resilient despite “successive labor breaches, salary delays, and numerous difficulties.”
“Workers continue to demonstrate professionalism, dedication, and a sense of mission,” the statement continued, emphasizing the personal sacrifices made by employees to keep the airline operational.
Calls to De-Politicize the National Carrier
The SNPAC is calling for a fundamental shift in how the airline is managed, urging leaders to stop using the carrier as a political tool. “It is time to definitively remove TACV from the political-party agenda and place it on the strategic agenda for national development,” the union stated. “TACV does not belong to governments. It belongs to the strategic interest of Cape Verde.”
Minister do Carmo, however, maintains that the financial reality is undeniable. “The situation is very critical,” he said in Praia. “We are talking about a company that lives permanently in a negative financial situation. We are going to put all scenarios on the table.”
As the government weighs the airline’s fate, the clash between fiscal necessity and national strategic interest continues to heighten tensions between the state and its aviation workforce.
Image: Pexels – Atlantic Ambience
