Cape Verde has seven operating airports in the national airport network: four international gateways and three smaller airports used mainly for domestic travel. Choosing the correct code matters because airports are spread across separate islands — “Cape Verde airport” is not one single place.
Below you will find the airport name, IATA code, island and the type of trip each airport suits. The official airport operator’s 2026 network lists airports on Sal, Santiago, São Vicente, Boa Vista, São Nicolau, Maio and Fogo.
Cape Verde airports: quick facts
| SID | Sal — Amílcar Cabral International Airport |
| BVC | Boa Vista — Aristides Pereira International Airport |
| RAI | Santiago — Nelson Mandela International Airport, Praia |
| VXE | São Vicente — Cesária Évora International Airport |
| SNE / MMO / SFL | São Nicolau, Maio and Fogo domestic airports |
The four international airports in Cape Verde
These are the main entry points for visitors arriving from Europe, Africa and the Americas. Flight networks vary by season, so check the live timetable rather than assuming every route operates year-round.
Sal Airport — SID
Amílcar Cabral International Airport is near Espargos and serves Sal. It is the main gateway for Santa Maria resorts and a major arrival point for winter-sun flights.
Boa Vista Airport — BVC
Aristides Pereira International Airport is near Rabil and serves Boa Vista’s resorts and beaches.
Praia Airport — RAI
Nelson Mandela International Airport is around 3 km northeast of central Praia on Santiago. It handles international and domestic traffic and is a key gateway for the southern island group.
São Vicente Airport — VXE
Cesária Évora International Airport is near São Pedro, roughly 5 km southwest of Mindelo. It is the gateway for São Vicente and the ferry connection to Santo Antão.
The three domestic airports
Three smaller airports connect islands that do not normally have direct international services.
São Filipe Airport — SFL
Located on Fogo and useful for visiting São Filipe, Chã das Caldeiras and Pico do Fogo.
Maio Airport — MMO
Serves Maio and its main town, Porto Inglês.
São Nicolau Airport — SNE
Preguiça Aerodrome serves São Nicolau. Schedules can be limited, so plan accommodation and backup options carefully.
Which islands do not have a usable passenger airport?
Santo Antão and Brava are normally reached by ferry. Santo Antão connects from São Vicente, while Brava is usually reached from Fogo. Santa Luzia is uninhabited and has no commercial airport.
Santo Antão
Fly to São Vicente (VXE), travel to Mindelo harbour and take the ferry to Porto Novo.
Brava
Travel to Fogo by air or sea, then continue by ferry from Fogo to Brava.
Connection planning
Do not schedule a tight international flight immediately after a ferry journey. Weather and operational changes can affect sea transport.
Airport facilities and services
The four larger international airports generally offer check-in desks, baggage services, food or drink options, taxis and rental-car services. Facilities at domestic aerodromes are more limited, so bring water, arrive prepared and do not expect a large terminal experience.
Live arrivals and departures
The official Cape Verde Airports website publishes airport pages and live flight information.
Wi-Fi and cash
Do not rely on airport Wi-Fi or card payments for every step. Save booking details offline and carry a small amount of cash.
Accessibility
Contact the airline in advance for mobility assistance, and reconfirm at check-in.
Airport transfers, taxis and car rental
Formal taxi services are available at most airports. Airport guidance says fares vary by island, so confirm the price before departure or ask your accommodation for the expected range. Rental-car desks or local delivery services are available on the larger tourist islands.
Sal
Santa Maria is in the south, so the transfer is longer than a quick city-centre ride.
Boa Vista
Many resorts are outside Sal Rei; hotel or package transfers are common.
Praia
The airport is close to the city, but traffic and exact hotel location affect the journey.
São Vicente
Mindelo is a short drive from the airport, with taxis commonly used.
How early should you arrive?
For international departures, follow your airline’s stated check-in time. For domestic flights, do not treat a short flight as a casual bus journey: identification, security and baggage rules still apply.
Separate tickets
Collecting bags and checking in again takes time. Leave a large buffer or add a night.
Domestic check-in
Cabo Verde Airlines currently publishes domestic counter closing and boarding times; always verify the latest rule on your ticket.
Weather and operations
Island aviation can be affected by wind, aircraft rotation and schedule changes. Keep important onward bookings flexible where possible.
Frequently asked questions
How many airports are there in Cape Verde?
The official airport network lists seven airports: four international gateways and three domestic airports.
What is the main airport in Cape Verde?
Sal (SID) is a major leisure gateway, while Praia (RAI) is an important national and domestic hub. The best airport depends on your island.
Which airport serves Santo Antão?
There is no regular passenger airport on Santo Antão. Fly to São Vicente and continue by ferry.
Which airport serves Fogo?
São Filipe Airport, code SFL.
Can I fly directly to Brava?
No regular commercial flight. Brava is normally reached by ferry from Fogo.
Are Cape Verde airports far from resorts?
It varies. Mindelo and Praia airports are close to their cities, while some Sal and Boa Vista resorts require longer transfers.
Checked July 2026. Schedules, fees and entry rules can change; verify again before booking or travel.
Practical checklist
- Use airport codes when searching: SID, BVC, RAI or VXE.
- Check your island before booking a package or flight.
- Save live-flight and transfer details offline.
- Build generous buffers around separate domestic connections.