French airport operator, VINCI Airports, has signed a concession contract for seven airports in Africa’s Cape Verde.
The contract which was agreed by Ulisses Correia e Silva (Cape Verdean Prime Minister) and Nicolas Notebaert (CEO, VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports) covers four international hubs including in the capital city Praia, Sal, Sao Vicente and Boa Vista. It also covers three domestic airports: Sao Nicolau; Sao Filipe; and Maio. The 40-year contract will see the airport operator and its Portuguese subsidiary ANA (owning respectively 70% and 30% stakes in the concession company) financing, operating, maintaining, extending and upgrading the airports.
In reference to the concession agreement Notebaert said: “Our shared vision is to boost the country’s tourism industry through a long-term growth strategy. Improving the airports’ links and performance will have a positive impact on the country. VINCI Airports is deeply committed to helping the Cape Verde archipelago realise its full potential over the course of this long-term partnership.”
Air traffic in the African archipelago rose by an average of 5.6% each year between 2010 and 2019, with passenger numbers reaching 2.8 million. The country’s strong economic growth, stable political environment and thriving tourism sector have been credited with boosting air traffic to and around Cape Verde.
As part of its new agreement VINCI Airports will support Cape Verde’s tourism strategy through a project tailored to suit each airport and factoring in different passenger segment and island-specific considerations). The archipelago’s cultural identity will be reflected in the architecture and customer experiences at the airports.
