Amilcar Cabral International Airport
Encyclopedia
Amílcar Cabral International Airport , also known as Sal International Airport or Amílcar Cabral Airport, is the principal international airport of Cape Verde
. The airport is named after the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral
.
It is located 2 km (1.2 mi) west-southwest from Espargos
on Sal Island
. Until September 2005, it was the only airport in Cape Verde to serve international flights. (Cape Verde's other international airports are near Praia on Santiago Island
, on São Vicente
near the capital of Mindelo and on Boavista
.)
The airport's main runway (01/19) is 3,272m (10,734 ft) and is the longest in Cape Verde. It is used for long-haul flights. It is also one of the designated emergency landing strips for the U.S. Space Shuttle
. The second runway (07/25) is 1,500m (4,921 ft) and is used by small planes. Sal was the main hub for the national airline, TACV Cabo Verde Airlines
, now Sal is the base of privates Cabo Verde Express
, and
Halcyonair.
In 2004, the airport served 1,007,561 passengers (+21.4% vs. 2003).
, as a fuel and provisions stopping-point on routes from Rome to South America
. The first flight, an arrival from Rome and Seville, was on December 15, 1939. In 1947, the Portuguese
colonial government purchased the airport from Italian interests. In 1950, DC-4
service on Alitalia
began on a Rome —- Sal —- Buenos Aires
—- Caracas
route. In 1961 jet service (a DC-8
) on the route rendered the stop at Sal unnecessary, and international service was suspended.
Between 1960 and 1967 Sal was a stop of the Voo da amizade
(Friendship Flight), a dedicated service between Brazil
and Portugal
. It was operated from 1960 to 1965 by Panair do Brasil
and from 1965 to 1967 by TAP-Transportes Aéreos Portugueses
and Varig
. Only Brazilian and Portuguese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in Brazil or Portugal could purchase tickets for those flights, which were extremely popular due to their low fares. At this time, Cape Verde was a Portuguese Overseas Province and therefore part of the territory of Portugal.
In 1967, Sal was used again as a refueling stop, this time by South African Airways
, for flights to and from Europe
, since SAA was denied landing rights by most Africa
n countries due to the international boycott of apartheid. Later, Cubana
and Aeroflot
used Sal for refueling and passenger flights.
In 1985, TACV
began service to Boston, Massachusetts, using a LAM
DC10. Boston hosts the largest Cape Verdean community in the United States
. TACV flights to Boston have since been shifted to Praia International Airport
. Other international destinations include Amsterdam
, Lisbon
, Madrid
, Paris
, and Porto
. Domestic destinations include Santiago
and São Vicente
.
The airport is located on the east side connecting with the road linking Espargos and Santa Maria
, the island's main tourist destination. There is presently no scheduled public transport, but taxi
s, shared cars known as "aluguer", and rental cars are available.
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
. The airport is named after the revolutionary leader Amílcar Cabral
Amílcar Cabral
Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral was a Guinea-Bissauan and Cape Verdean agricultural engineer, writer, and a nationalist thinker and politician. Also known by his nom de guerre Abel Djassi, Cabral led the nationalist movement of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde Islands and the ensuing war of independence...
.
It is located 2 km (1.2 mi) west-southwest from Espargos
Espargos
Espargos is the capital city of the island municipality of Sal, Cape Verde and is also in the heart of the island. Espargos means "asparagus" and refers to the wild vegetable asparagus stalk with its bright yellow flowers which grows in sandy areas around the island...
on Sal Island
Sal, Cape Verde
Sal is an island in Cape Verde. It belongs to the northern group of islands, called Barlavento. The island is composed by a single administrative division, the Sal municipality. The island is home to Amílcar Cabral International Airport, the main airport of Cape Verde.- Geography :The island is...
. Until September 2005, it was the only airport in Cape Verde to serve international flights. (Cape Verde's other international airports are near Praia on Santiago Island
Santiago, Cape Verde
Santiago , or Santiagu in Cape Verdean Creole, is the largest island of Cape Verde, its most important agricultural centre and home to half the nation’s population. At the time of Darwin's voyage it was called St. Jago....
, on São Vicente
São Vicente, Cape Verde
São Vicente , also Son Visent or Son Sent in Cape Verdean Creole, is one of the Barlavento islands of Cape Verde. It is located between the islands of Santo Antão and Santa Luzia, with the Canal de São Vicente separating it from Santo Antão.- Geography :The island is roughly rectangular in shape...
near the capital of Mindelo and on Boavista
Boa Vista, Cape Verde
Boa Vista is the easternmost island of Cape Verde. It is located in the Barlavento group of the archipelago. The island is known for marine turtles and traditional music, as well as its ultramarathon and its sand dunes and beaches...
.)
The airport's main runway (01/19) is 3,272m (10,734 ft) and is the longest in Cape Verde. It is used for long-haul flights. It is also one of the designated emergency landing strips for the U.S. Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
. The second runway (07/25) is 1,500m (4,921 ft) and is used by small planes. Sal was the main hub for the national airline, TACV Cabo Verde Airlines
TACV
TACV Cabo Verde Airlines is a scheduled and charter, passenger and cargo airline based in Praia, Cape Verde...
, now Sal is the base of privates Cabo Verde Express
Cabo Verde Express
Cabo Verde Express is an airline that operates regional services between the Cape Verde Islands. It was established in 1998 and started operations with a Cessna Caravan . Currently, they fly Let 410 UVP...
, and
Halcyonair.
In 2004, the airport served 1,007,561 passengers (+21.4% vs. 2003).
History
The first airport on Sal Island was built in 1939 by ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, as a fuel and provisions stopping-point on routes from Rome to South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. The first flight, an arrival from Rome and Seville, was on December 15, 1939. In 1947, the Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
colonial government purchased the airport from Italian interests. In 1950, DC-4
Douglas DC-4
The Douglas DC-4 is a four-engined propeller-driven airliner developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It served during World War II, in the Berlin Airlift and into the 1960s in a military role...
service on Alitalia
Alitalia
Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. , in its later stages known as Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. in Extraordinary Administration, was the former Italian flag carrier...
began on a Rome —- Sal —- Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
—- Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
route. In 1961 jet service (a DC-8
Douglas DC-8
The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
) on the route rendered the stop at Sal unnecessary, and international service was suspended.
Between 1960 and 1967 Sal was a stop of the Voo da amizade
Voo da amizade
Voo da amizade was the name of a dedicated air service between Brazil and Portugal operated between 1960 and 1967. It was an operational partnership between the Portuguese TAP-Transportes Aéreos Portugueses and the Brazilian Panair do Brasil and Varig .-History:In order to promote the already...
(Friendship Flight), a dedicated service between Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. It was operated from 1960 to 1965 by Panair do Brasil
Panair do Brasil
Panair do Brasil is a defunct airline of Brazil. Between 1945 and 1965 it was considered to be the largest carrier not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America.-NYRBA do Brasil :...
and from 1965 to 1967 by TAP-Transportes Aéreos Portugueses
TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal, commonly known as TAP, is the national airline of Portugal. It has its head office in Building 25 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon, and has been a member of the Star Alliance since 14 March 2005, the same day on which the company celebrated its 60th anniversary...
and Varig
Varig
VARIG was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990 it was Brazil's leading and almost only international airline...
. Only Brazilian and Portuguese citizens or foreigners with permanent residence in Brazil or Portugal could purchase tickets for those flights, which were extremely popular due to their low fares. At this time, Cape Verde was a Portuguese Overseas Province and therefore part of the territory of Portugal.
In 1967, Sal was used again as a refueling stop, this time by South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
, for flights to and from Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, since SAA was denied landing rights by most Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n countries due to the international boycott of apartheid. Later, Cubana
Cubana de Aviación
Cubana de Aviación S.A., commonly known as Cubana, is Cuba's largest airline and flag carrier. The airline was founded on 8 October 1929, and has its corporate headquarters in Havana. Its main base is at José Martí International Airport...
and Aeroflot
Aeroflot
OJSC AeroflotRussian Airlines , commonly known as Aeroflot , is the flag carrier and largest airline of the Russian Federation, based on passengers carried per year...
used Sal for refueling and passenger flights.
In 1985, TACV
TACV
TACV Cabo Verde Airlines is a scheduled and charter, passenger and cargo airline based in Praia, Cape Verde...
began service to Boston, Massachusetts, using a LAM
LAM Mozambique Airlines
Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, Ltd., operating as LAMMozambique Airlines , is the flag carrier of Mozambique. Based in Maputo, it operates scheduled services in southern Africa and Europe under the IATA airline code TM and the ICAO airline code LAM, its callsign being MOZAMBIQUE.The carrier is a...
DC10. Boston hosts the largest Cape Verdean community in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. TACV flights to Boston have since been shifted to Praia International Airport
Praia International Airport
Praia International Airport is an airport located on Santiago Island in Cape Verde. It was opened in late 2005, replacing the old Francisco Mendes International Airport. It is located about 3 km northeast of central Praia in the southeastern part of the island of Santiago.The first flight to...
. Other international destinations include Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, and Porto
Porto
Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes...
. Domestic destinations include Santiago
Santiago, Cape Verde
Santiago , or Santiagu in Cape Verdean Creole, is the largest island of Cape Verde, its most important agricultural centre and home to half the nation’s population. At the time of Darwin's voyage it was called St. Jago....
and São Vicente
São Vicente, Cape Verde
São Vicente , also Son Visent or Son Sent in Cape Verdean Creole, is one of the Barlavento islands of Cape Verde. It is located between the islands of Santo Antão and Santa Luzia, with the Canal de São Vicente separating it from Santo Antão.- Geography :The island is roughly rectangular in shape...
.
Facilities and transport
Amílcar Cabral has one terminal. It is a two-story building containing check-in, waiting, and arrival areas, as well as shopping, banking, and passenger services. The second floor houses airport operations and airline offices. There are four gates, and buses are used to transport passengers to the aircraft stands.The airport is located on the east side connecting with the road linking Espargos and Santa Maria
Santa Maria, Cape Verde
Santa Maria is a fishing city situated in the southern part of the island municipality of Sal, Cape Verde. The city is the third largest in Cape Verde and is one of the few that it is larger than the municipal capital...
, the island's main tourist destination. There is presently no scheduled public transport, but taxi
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
s, shared cars known as "aluguer", and rental cars are available.
Airlines and destinations
Accidents and incidents
- 1 November 1961: Panair do BrasilPanair do BrasilPanair do Brasil is a defunct airline of Brazil. Between 1945 and 1965 it was considered to be the largest carrier not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America.-NYRBA do Brasil :...
, a Douglas DC-7CDouglas DC-7The Douglas DC-7 is an American transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958. It was the last major piston engine powered transport made by Douglas, coming just a few years before the advent of jet aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8.-Design and...
registration PP-PDO flying from Sal to Recife, during its final approach at Recife, struck an 84m hill 2.7 km from the runway and broke-up. The aircraft was doing a night approach too low and outside the regular traffic pattern. Forty-five passengers and crew out of the 88 persons aboard died. The aircraft was operating the Voo da amizadeVoo da amizadeVoo da amizade was the name of a dedicated air service between Brazil and Portugal operated between 1960 and 1967. It was an operational partnership between the Portuguese TAP-Transportes Aéreos Portugueses and the Brazilian Panair do Brasil and Varig .-History:In order to promote the already...
(Friendship Flight).
External links
- Airport information for GVAC at Fallingrain.com