Cape Verde Airport Traffic Rises 5.6% Amid Tourism Boom
Cape Verde’s aviation sector continues its upward trajectory, with passenger traffic at the archipelago’s airports rising 5.6% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year. Data from the Civil Aviation Agency (AAC) shows that the nation’s seven airports and airfields handled approximately 934,000 passenger movements, including arrivals, departures, and transits.
The surge in passengers was mirrored by an 8.4% increase in aircraft movements, which reached 9,900 total take-offs and landings during the same period. This growth is largely fueled by Cape Verde’s booming tourism industry, which saw a record-breaking 1.25 million hotel guests in 2025, primarily concentrated on the popular islands of Sal and Boa Vista.
Domestic Travel Sees Double-Digit Growth
While international flights remain the backbone of the industry—accounting for 690,000 passengers and 74% of all traffic—the domestic market saw the most significant gains. Internal flight traffic jumped by 13%, reaching roughly 244,500 passenger movements.
The spike in domestic travel comes at a critical time for the archipelago. For years, inter-island connections have been plagued by chronic delays and limited capacity. To address these service gaps, the state-owned carrier CV Sky has been expanding its fleet. The airline received its third aircraft this month and expects a fourth to be operational by January, a move intended to stabilize domestic connections and improve reliability.
Infrastructure and Concessions
The management of Cape Verde’s airport infrastructure is currently under concession by the global multinational Vinci. The firm oversees the facilities as the country positions itself as a major Atlantic hub for both international tourism and regional commerce.
With tourism numbers reaching all-time highs and the government investing in fleet modernization, the third-quarter results reinforce Cape Verde’s status as one of West Africa’s most resilient and growing travel destinations.
Image: Pexels – Bibi Kiekens
