Nelson Mandela International Airport

Praia International Airport
IATA: RAIICAO: GVNP
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Aeroportos Segurança Aérea (ASA)
Location Praia, Cape Verde
Hub for TACV Cabo Verde Airlines
Elevation AMSL 230 ft / 70 m
Coordinates 14°55′27.12″N 23°29′38.04″W / 14.9242000°N 23.4939000°W / 14.9242000; -23.4939000Coordinates: 14°55′27.12″N 23°29′38.04″W / 14.9242000°N 23.4939000°W / 14.9242000; -23.4939000
Website RAI Website
Map
RAI

Location in Cape Verde

Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
3/21 6,876 2,096 asphalt

Praia International Airport aka Nelson Mandela International Airport (IATA: RAI, ICAO: GVNP) is an airport located on Santiago Island in Cape Verde. It was opened in late 2005, replacing the old Francisco Mendes International Airport. It is located about 3 km northeast of central Praia in the southeastern part of the island of Santiago.

History

The first flight to the new airport was on 23 October 2005. Even though the airport serves the capital and largest city, Praia, Cape Verde's main international airport is Amílcar Cabral International Airport located on the smaller island of Sal.

In January 2012 a Cape Verde government statement noted that Praia International Airport was renamed after South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela, an icon for freedom in Africa,[1] not without controversy.[1]

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Azores Airlines Ponta Delgada (begins 2 June 2017)
Binter Canarias
operated by Binter CV
Sal, São Vicente
Royal Air Maroc Casablanca
TACV Bissau, Boa Vista, Dakar, Fortaleza, Lisbon, Maio, Providence (RI), Recife, Sal, São Filipe, São Nicolau, São Vicente
TAP Portugal Lisbon

References

  1. 1 2 "Cape Verde Names Airport After Nelson Mandela". All Africa.com. Retrieved 31 December 2013.

External links

Media related to Praia International Airport at Wikimedia Commons

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