Cape Verde Property

Things are moving fast down in investment hot spot Cape Verde. Everybody wants to go and have a look, and once they see, they want to buy. To keep pace with demand, Boa Vista of the northern wind ward islands, is pleased to announce the imminent arrival of a brand new airport.
The International Boa Vista airport is in it’s final building stages after a 21 million euro investment by Portuguese bank, Espirito Santo.  The Cape Verde Airport and Air Safety company are happy with the airports progress.
It’s only taken 24 months to get to near completion with a runway 2,1000 metres long and 45 metres wide. It’s been a determined team effort from the planning stage by the International Air Transport Association through to the building by Portuguese construction company Moniz de Maia e Empreiteiros. Adding to the international flavour, a Spanish specialist company, INECO has been overseeing the project.
One of the last key safety installations, the automatic weather station at the airport has been finished, plus all the major electronic equipment fitted, staff trained and the visual landing system approved.
It’s hardly surprising that a new large airport is needed, the growth in visitors to Cape Verde is very strong and Boa Vista in particular has a lot to offer. The name says it all, it translates to “good view” and there are many around the 55 kms of superb beaches. Sand dunes add to the natural beauty and the gently shelving sea is perfect for bathing. Further out in the water, there’s plenty of scope for sailing, diving, surfing and fishing. The island capital, Sal Rei, is a quiet port and worth a visit and for local crafts, especially ceramics, Chave beach is perfect.
Air links to the Cape Verde islands are increasing rapidly, and there has never been a better time to discover why so many people want to buy in on the action.

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In 2005 a new airport (IATA airport code: RAI, Praia) was opened in the capital Praia and from November 2006 there have been direct flights from UK airports. As competition between the carriers increases lower airfares are set to follow. If you’re thinking of investing in Cape Verde but aren’t too familiar with the islands, why not take an inspection visit and enjoy a holiday at the same time.

Private investors expect that the large island of Santiago, 200 kilometres southwest of Sal, will soon be opened to charter tourism. A huge tourism infrastructure is already being built outside Praia. The capital is now surrounded by large luxury hotels and beach resorts.

Just 14 kms northeast or Praia, the small village of São Francisco, is also set to receive large numbers of charter tourists. As the Sambala tourist village facilities come on line close to the airport, more and more flights will switch from the old Sal airport.

Up until recently, to get to the Cape Verde Islands from the UK you’d have to take up to three separate flights and the whole journey could take you up to 14 hours including waiting for connecting flights.

Now you can take direct flights from Amsterdam, Paris or Lisbon in around 8 hours and from the UK in under 6 hours.

There are flights to Sal Island from Lisbon every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday and every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday into Santiago.

Amsterdam is the interchange point each Thursday and from Paris you can reach Sal every Monday.

New routes from the UK
Since November 2006 there have been direct flights to Praia, Santiago from Birmingham. This summer (2007) a second direct route to Cape Verde is to be launched.

The flights will go direct from London Gatwick to the island of Boa Vista once a week. It will take around 6 hours and cost around £377 including all taxes, fees and charges.

Alternatively, you can still fly though major European cities like Paris, Lisbon, Amsterdam, and Las Palmas and Gran Canaria. America is already linked by flights out of Boston, New York, Houston and Atlanta. These European and American flights land on the island of Sal.

There will be more and more flights between Praia and the UK over the next year or so. Soon, we might even see direct flights from Stansted, Leeds and Bristol.

The new Praia airport has made a huge difference to Cape Verde travel. It can handle bulk carriers like the Airbus 320 and Boeing 757 and 737 making it attractive to budget airlines, meaning cheaper flights for you!

The climate, beautiful scenery and wonderful beaches make Cape Verde one of the top tourist destinations for 2007. If you’re thinking of buying here, book an inspection visit and come and see for yourself!

Up to date flight information can be found at http://www.teletickettravel.com and www.tacv.cv