Esperadinha Airport

The closure was a direct result of safety concerns due to persistently dangerous meteorological conditions. The airport's location on a narrow coastal plain (a 'fajã') at the base of steep volcanic cliffs created severe, unpredictable, and powerful crosswinds and downdrafts. These conditions made landings and take-offs extremely hazardous, posing an unacceptable risk to aircraft, passengers, and crew. The decision was not based on economic factors or a specific accident, but rather on the inherent and unmitigable dangers of its geographical position.

The airport is completely abandoned and in a state of disuse. The physical infrastructure, including the runway, apron, and a small terminal building, still exists but is decaying and unmaintained. The runway markings are faded, and the area is overgrown in places. The site is not used for any official purpose and stands as a silent monument to the island's brief aviation history. It is accessible and sometimes visited by locals and tourists as a point of interest.

Inaugurated in 1992, Esperadinha Airport was the only airfield on Brava, the smallest inhabited island of Cape Verde. For its short 11-year operational life, it was a vital link, breaking the island's near-total reliance on maritime transport, which was often unreliable due to rough seas. The airport was primarily served by the national airline, TACV (Transportes Aéreos de Cabo Verde), which operated small STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, on the short 620-meter runway. It facilitated the movement of people for work, family visits, medical emergencies, and brought a small amount of tourism, significantly reducing the island's isolation.

There are zero prospects for reopening Esperadinha Airport at its current location due to the same insurmountable wind and safety issues that led to its closure. However, the construction of a new airport on Brava at a different, safer location has been a persistent topic of discussion for the Cape Verdean government for many years. Several feasibility studies have been conducted to identify a suitable site, with the area of Sorno in the island's southwest being the most frequently proposed alternative. Despite these long-standing plans, a new airport project has never moved forward due to the immense cost and significant engineering challenges associated with building on Brava's rugged terrain. As of now, it remains a long-term aspiration with no concrete timeline or funding.