News on domestic flights is something that comes up frequently in Cape Verde. The ease of travelling between the islands has been source of concern for many years. On 8 January we reported on the fact that Cabo Verde Airlines (TACV) had stated that they had been operating internal flights with four aircraft. They said that they had consequently been able to increase seating capacity and flights. There now appears to be more good news on the internal flight operation. Since the end of January, TACV report that they have been providing two daily round trips between Santiago, São Vicente and Sal islands. This amounts to 115 flights a week, with a morning and evening flight each day. This increase in flights is a result of public demand there has been an average occupancy being as high as 80%.

TACV have also stated that they increased the number of flights between Santiago and Fogo. In addition they said that the demand for flights to Maio and São Nicolau had increased. The report also mentions that the Government has reduced the fares to the islands of Maio and São Nicolau. This fare reduction commenced more than three months ago and as a result the occupancy rates for Maio is now about 70%. For São Nicolau occupancy is about 80%.

A new company Linhas Aéreas de Cabo Verde (LACV) is currently in the process of certification. This new company was announced by the Cape Verde Government. Once that new company starts operating the internal flights will be taken over by them. It has to be questioned as to whether keep changing the domestic flight operating company is a good idea. Tourism in Cape Verde is extremely buoyant and the importance of a reliable domestic transport system is essential for residents and tourists alike. Increasingly, tourists want to explore other islands and not stay only on Sal or Boa Vista.