The Government of Cape Verde announced on Tuesday (30), in a statement, the reinforcement of aircraft for domestic connections after breakdowns since August have disrupted operations, according to Lusa.
“The inter-island operation will now be ensured by three aircraft” — two ATR 72-600 planes and another aircraft made available by Royal Air Maroc, the statement said.
The Executive pledged “greater operational stability, regularity, and quality in inter-island air transport services,” acknowledging that “it has not been an easy task.”
The government also committed to “work on strengthening the fleet by acquiring more aircraft, depending on the market.”
Domestic air connections in Cape Verde suffer from chronic problems. These difficulties have been highlighted by entrepreneurs, the country’s partners, and the central bank as an obstacle to development. In 2024, the bank stressed the need to “improve connectivity between the islands to boost the country’s competitiveness.”
As early as June this year, the Budget Support Group urged the government to take measures to ensure “reliable, inclusive, and financially sustainable transport.”
In its latest reports (January and September), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has argued that the state-owned airline, Transportes Aéreos de Cabo Verde (TACV), should exit loss-making international routes with strong competition and instead invest in domestic connections.
However, the government has responded that it is not comfortable leaving international routes solely in the hands of foreign carriers.
Source: Diário Económico
