The arrival of the TACV Cabo Verde Airlines Boeing 757 “Emigranti” on October 23, 2005, opened Praia’s doors to intercontinental flights. For Cape Verdean Airport and Air Security company ASA, the opening of the Praia International Airport was one of the most anxiously-awaited events among Cape Verdeans since independence in 1975, with a direct impact in people’s lives and in the country’s economy.

“Praia International Airport quickly became a reference and an icon of the city of Praia. Despite its constraints, the airport is on an upward swing and is operating with stability and safety,” says ASA president Mário Paixão Lopes, in whose opinion, after the challenges of the airport’s construction, certification and opening, the operational viability and sustainability of the structure became the main concern.

For airport director Euridice Mascarenhas, the difference between Praia’s former Francisco Mendes Airport and the Praia International Airport is “incomparable in dynamics, flow and complexity.” She believes, however, than the airport “is still not the one that Praia needs.” “It can give more in terms of results if, for example, we optimize flight planning, because at the moment the flights with Boeings coincide in space and time.” According to her explanation, it is possible to have Boeings landing every two hours, which would take better advantage of the structure and its facilities.

Even so, the statistics are positive. There has been a 436% in crease in international traffic, and a reduction in domestic traffic at Sal’s Amílcar Cabral International Airport (11.5%) and in Praia as well (10.8%). Passenger services have also improved, with the availability of conveniences and comfortable alternatives, especially for passengers whose final destination is the island of Santiago.

Praia International Airport has provided better and quicker services for diplomatic agents, politicians and governmental and non-governmental agents. It has increased the confidence of investors and economic operators, lending greater dynamism to the tourist, hotel and transportation sectors, and has increased competitiveness for Cape Verde as a tourist destination, creating an alternative to Sal, improving the payload and reducing the price of travel.

In today’s commemorations, Pedro Pires will visit the installations of the airport beginning at 10:00 am, and will open an exhibition entitled “Praia International Airport in images.” At the end of the ceremony, “Happy Birthday” will be sung in the entrance hall.

At 5:00 pm, the fundamental aspects of civil aeronautics and perspectives for the future of Cape Verde’s airports will be debated in a conference at the Hotel Pestana Trópico in an event to be attended by the Minister of Infrastructures, Transportation and the Sea, Manuel Inocêncio Sousa, as well as Mário Paixão and Euridice Mascarenhas.

Source: A Semana