Cape Verde opens a new era of low-cost flights with a focus on decentralizing tourism

At the ceremony to welcome the flight this morning at Nelson Mandela International Airport from Lyon, France, the director-general of the Air Economy, Zilca Paiva, said that this was an "important milestone" for Cape Verde and the country's tourism.

"This flight not only opens up Cape Verde to the world on an international level, but also means more accessible travel, both for Cape Verdeans and for our diaspora who want to visit the country and learn more about our culture," she explained.

At an economic level, he stressed that it represents a "very important" objective, which is to take tourist revenue to the various islands and also decentralize what are the tourist motivations, deconcentrating the big tourist hubs that have been Sal and Boa Vista.

"Before, the 'low cost' flights came to Sal airport and now they are going to Boa Vista, to São Vicente, to Santiago, with a view to diversifying the tourist product and deconcentrating the major tourist hubs," she said.

As for the prices, he assured that they are very competitive and accessible to all Cape Verdeans, both inside and outside the diaspora, with tickets available for less than 100 euros for Lisbon and other French cities.

He therefore believes that demand could change the scenario, stressing that there is a strong commitment from this government to encourage international connectivity.

The director-general of the Air Economy guaranteed that these flights will continue for the next few years and that the government's strategy to attract low-cost airlines will not interfere with the operations of the national airline.

From today until the 30th of this month, ten low-cost flights are scheduled to arrive in Cape Verde, as well as Transavia, Easyjet and Edelweiss to Praia, Sal, Boa Vista and São Vicente.