TACV Airlines, officially known as Cabo Verde Airlines (ICAO: TCV), is the national flag carrier of Cape Verde, an archipelago nation in the Atlantic Ocean.
Cabo Verde Airlines was established in 1958, initially operating as TACV (Transportes Aéreos de Cabo Verde). Following Cape Verde's independence in July 1975, the airline was designated as the national carrier, becoming a state-owned company in 1983. In May 2018, the airline rebranded to Cabo Verde Airlines to better reflect its national identity. While Loftleidir Icelandic, part of the Icelandair Group, acquired a majority stake in 2019, more recent information indicates that Cabo Verde Airlines is 90% owned by the State of Cape Verde.
The airline's main hub and operational base is Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) on Sal Island. This strategic location aims to connect three continents: Europe, North America, and South America, as well as West Africa. Cabo Verde Airlines operates a route network focusing on international services, though it previously offered extensive domestic inter-island flights. The airline has been pivoting towards enhancing its international presence and connectivity, particularly to the United States, Europe, and West Africa.
The current fleet of Cabo Verde Airlines primarily consists of Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737-700 aircraft. Historically, the airline also operated Boeing 757-200 and ATR aircraft. Cabo Verde Airlines is not a member of any major global airline alliance such as Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. For passenger services, the airline offers different fare options including "Light," "Plus," and "Flex," allowing for standard or preferred seat selection. Its "Morabeza Light and Flex" fares offer "Premium Seats" with larger seats and increased legroom at the front of the aircraft. Some aircraft historically featured a small business class cabin or "Morabeza Comfort Class." In-flight services typically include meals and refreshments.
Recent traveler reviews for Cabo Verde Airlines present a mixed picture, highlighting both positive aspects and notable frustrations.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall sentiment suggests that while Cabo Verde Airlines offers essential direct connections and a friendly crew, passengers should be prepared for potential operational inconsistencies such as delays and be aware of the airline's customer service challenges, particularly concerning changes to bookings or refunds. The cost-benefit ratio is often a key factor for travelers choosing the airline.
Cabo Verde Airlines maintains a generally positive safety standing within the aviation industry, particularly concerning regulatory certifications.
The airline's most notable incident was TACV Flight 5002 on August 7, 1999, when a Dornier DO228-201, leased by TACV, crashed into a mountainside in Santo Antão in poor weather conditions, resulting in the fatalities of all 18 passengers and crew onboard. More recently, between 2014, there were reported incidents involving a Boeing 757-200 with an engine oil problem and hydraulic failure, and an ATR 72-212A with an engine fire and a bird strike, none of which resulted in fatalities.
Cabo Verde Airlines is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and has been IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certified since 2009. This certification, which the airline renewed in 2018 for the period leading up to 2019, signifies adherence to internationally recognized operational safety standards. Cabo Verde Airlines is also stated to hold international aviation certificates signed by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency). Importantly, Cabo Verde Airlines is not included on the EU Air Safety List (commonly known as the EU blacklist), which means it is permitted to operate flights to and from the European Union, indicating compliance with European safety standards.
While specific data on the average fleet age is not consistently provided, the airline added a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 to its fleet in July 2023, suggesting ongoing fleet modernization. The IOSA certification generally reflects a solid maintenance reputation, as it evaluates an airline's operational management and control systems, including maintenance procedures.
Based on available data, Cabo Verde Airlines has an overall safety rating of 7/7 according to Airline Ratings, indicating a strong safety assessment. There is no specific mention of safety awards or recognitions beyond its continuous IOSA certification.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAI → VXE |
Sao Pedro
Sao Vicente
|
154 | 168 mi | ATR | Dec 10, 2025 |
| RAI → SFL |
Sao Filipe
Fogo
|
124 | 67 mi | ATR | Dec 10, 2025 |
| RAI → SID |
Amilcar Cabral Int'l
Sal
|
123 | 129 mi | ATR | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SID → VXE |
Sao Pedro
Sao Vicente
|
122 | 140 mi | ATR | Nov 10, 2025 |
| SID → RAI |
Praia Int'l
Santiago
|
89 | 129 mi | ATR | Nov 10, 2025 |
| RAI → BVC |
Rabil
Boa Vista
|
56 | 92 mi | ATR | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BVC → RAI |
Praia Int'l
Santiago
|
54 | 92 mi | ATR | Dec 11, 2025 |
| RAI → LIS |
General Humberto Delgado Airport
Lisbon
|
39 | 1866 mi | 737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SID → BVC |
Rabil
Boa Vista
|
34 | 42 mi | ATR | Oct 11, 2025 |
| RAI → MMO |
Maio
Maio
|
31 | 23 mi | ATR | Dec 8, 2025 |
| SFL → RAI |
Praia Int'l
Santiago
|
27 | 67 mi | ATR | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BVC → SID |
Amilcar Cabral Int'l
Sal
|
24 | 42 mi | UNKNOWN | Nov 30, 2025 |
| SID → SNE |
Preguica
Sao Nicolau
|
23 | 333 mi | ATR | Nov 20, 2025 |
| VXE → RAI |
Praia Int'l
Santiago
|
23 | 168 mi | ATR | Dec 8, 2025 |
| VXE → SID |
Amilcar Cabral Int'l
Sal
|
19 | 140 mi | ATR | Dec 8, 2025 |
| RAI → SNE |
Preguica
Sao Nicolau
|
11 | 126 mi | UNKNOWN | Dec 2, 2025 |
| SID → OPO |
Porto / Oporto
Francisco Sa Carneiro Int.
|
9 | 1896 mi | B38M | Sep 25, 2025 |
| SID → LIS |
General Humberto Delgado Airport
Lisbon
|
9 | 2000 mi | A20N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| SID → BGY |
Orio al Serio Int'l
Bergamo
|
7 | 2746 mi | B38M | Oct 4, 2025 |
| MMO → RAI |
Praia Int'l
Santiago
|
5 | 23 mi | ATR | Nov 14, 2025 |
| LIS → RAI |
Praia Int'l
Santiago
|
3 | 1866 mi | B38M | Nov 5, 2025 |
| SID → SFL |
Sao Filipe
Fogo
|
3 | 164 mi | ATR | Sep 29, 2025 |
| VXE → LIS |
General Humberto Delgado Airport
Lisbon
|
3 | 1797 mi | 737 | Oct 16, 2025 |
| VXE → CDG |
Charles de Gaulle/Roissy
Paris
|
2 | 2712 mi | B38M | Oct 25, 2025 |
| VXE → SNE |
Preguica
Sao Nicolau
|
2 | 54 mi | ATR | Dec 8, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.