EasyJet Expansion Leads Growing International Air Connectivity to Cape Verde

Cape Verde’s international air links continue to expand, with easyJet’s arrival in the market and the launch of new routes to Sal marking another significant step in the archipelago’s development as a major year-round tourism destination.

The low-cost airline began operations to Cape Verde on 29 October 2024 with its first Lisbon-Sal service, opening a new chapter in air connectivity for the island. The airline’s initial Portuguese programme included routes from both Lisbon and Porto to Sal, providing six weekly services between the two cities.

That expansion continued on 31 March 2025, when easyJet launched its first ever sub-Saharan African service from London Gatwick to Sal.

The new Gatwick route operates three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, substantially increasing the options available to British holidaymakers travelling directly to one of Cape Verde’s most popular islands.

For The Resort Group Plc, which has invested extensively in Sal and helped establish the island as an internationally recognised holiday destination, the continued expansion of airlift is an important sign of confidence in Cape Verde’s tourism sector.

Lisa Kellett, Chief of Staff at The Resort Group Plc, said: “The expansion of easyJet into Cape Verde is enormously positive for Sal and for the country’s tourism industry as a whole.

“Direct connectivity is fundamental to the continued growth of an island destination. The introduction of easyJet services from Portugal, followed by the launch of the London Gatwick route, gives travellers greater choice and makes Sal accessible to an even wider international audience.

“The UK has long been an exceptionally important market for Cape Verde, and particularly for Sal, so seeing additional capacity from London is something we warmly welcome. It demonstrates the growing confidence international airlines have in the destination and its long-term potential.”

Cape Verde’s international network continues to grow

EasyJet’s expansion forms part of a much broader international aviation network connecting Cape Verde with some of its most important tourism and business markets.

Air connectivity to the archipelago has continued to increase, with routes serving markets across Europe and West Africa.

British travellers have access to Cape Verde through a number of airline services, while Portugal remains one of the archipelago’s principal aviation gateways. Cabo Verde Airlines, TAP Air Portugal and other carriers provide links with Portugal, with typical direct journey times of approximately four hours.

Spain is another important market, with connections between Cape Verde and the Spanish and Canary Islands markets. Direct connectivity from Barcelona has also returned, reflecting the continued broadening of the country’s European reach.

Italy is connected through services including Neos and Cabo Verde Airlines, while Bergamo has been among the European airports adding connectivity with the archipelago.

The Netherlands is served by airlines including TUI and Corendon, with journey times of around six and a half hours, while Germany has direct connections from cities including Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf and Cologne.

Belgian travellers can also reach Cape Verde through a mixture of direct and connecting services, including TUI fly Belgium flights serving islands such as Sal.

Elsewhere in Europe, Smartwings has operated charter services between Prague and Sal, while a range of direct and connecting options link Poland with Cape Verde.

France has also strengthened its connection with the islands. Cabo Verde Airlines resumed direct services between Praia and Paris Charles de Gaulle following a three-year hiatus, alongside direct Paris-Praia services offered by Transavia.

Cape Verde’s connectivity extends beyond Europe. Dakar provides an important regional connection with Senegal through airlines including Air Senegal and ASKY Airlines, while air links also connect the archipelago with Guinea-Bissau.

Lisa Kellett added: “What is particularly encouraging is the breadth of the connectivity that Cape Verde is developing. It isn’t dependent upon one city or one international market.

“Sal is welcoming visitors from across the UK and continental Europe, while Cape Verde’s regional links also reinforce its position as an increasingly well-connected Atlantic destination.

“For resorts and tourism businesses, that creates a much stronger foundation for sustainable, year-round growth. More routes mean greater flexibility for guests, greater exposure for the destination and more opportunities for repeat visitors to return.”

Sal at the heart of Cape Verde’s tourism growth

At the centre of this expansion is Amílcar Cabral International Airport on Sal, Cape Verde’s busiest airport and one of the country’s four international gateways.
Its 3,000-metre runway is the longest in the country, while its location close to Espargos and within easy reach of the principal tourism centre of Santa Maria makes it a crucial piece of infrastructure for Sal’s visitor economy.

The airport serves a destination that has undergone a remarkable tourism transformation, with Sal becoming internationally known for its beaches, year-round climate, water sports and growing resort offering.

The Resort Group Plc has been closely involved in that development through its substantial investment in the island’s hospitality sector, including The Lagoon Resorts collection of Meliá hotels.

Kellett said: “Every new route strengthens the bridge between Cape Verde and the international travellers who are discovering what makes these islands so special.

“Sal combines excellent weather, beautiful beaches and outstanding hospitality with the distinctive culture and warmth of Cape Verde. As accessing the island becomes easier from more cities and countries, we believe its international profile will continue to grow.

“EasyJet’s investment is an important part of that story, but it sits within a much bigger picture. Cape Verde is becoming better connected to the world, and that creates exciting opportunities for Sal, its tourism industry and the communities that benefit from its continued success.”

Cape Verde is served by four international airports: Amílcar Cabral International Airport on Sal, Nelson Mandela International Airport on Santiago, Aristides Pereira International Airport on Boa Vista and Cesária Évora International Airport on São Vicente.

Together with the country’s domestic aviation network, these gateways are helping support an increasingly connected tourism economy – making it easier for international visitors not only to reach Cape Verde, but also to discover more of the archipelago.