The first charter flight arriving directly from Europe will touch down today at Boa Vista International Airport. The A321-200, operated by charter company Livingston, will arrive from Verona, Italy, with some 150 passengers. A Boeing is scheduled to arrive tomorrow from Milan as well, while direct flights from London are still in the planning stages.

The landing of the charter flight today at Boa Vista International Airport marks the beginning of international air operations on the island. Although the date of the first charter flight from London has yet to be set, but tourist-sector business operators on the island believe that it will take place in mid-January 2008. For the time being, two direct flights from Italy will arrive per week, operated by Livingston.

The first flights are being promoted by the business groups Viaggi Del Ventaglio and Viaggi del Atlantide. All of the passengers will be lodged in the Venta Club and Marine Club hotels, both of which belong to Ventaglio, which operates in partnership with Livingston. The London flights will be operated by Astreus.

According to a press release from Airport and Air Security company ASA, today’s operation “will be a milestone in the history of tourism and air transportation on the island of Boa Vista and in Cape Verde.” In addition, it will contribute toward “economic and social development and the improvement of the quality of life of its inhabitants.”

Boa Vista International Airport, which was officially opened on October 31, was designed to receive charter flights in order to foster growth in the island’s tourist industry. The airport’s runway is 2,100 meters long and 45 meters wide, and has space for two jet planes and one short-range aircraft in its parking area.

Source: A Semana