Cape Verde Airlines restarts operations on the 27th with two connections Praia-Lisbon – Observador
Cabo Verde Airlines will resume operations on December 27, with two weekly calls from Praia to Lisbon, the president of the Cape Verdean-flag company informed this Monday, indicating that the recovery will be gradual.
“TACV will officially resume international flights from December 27th, connecting Praia to Lisbon, with two weekly frequencies on Mondays and Fridays“, informed the company in a statement Sara Helena Pires.
The recovery date coincides with the company’s 63rd anniversary celebration, “giving a very special touch to the moment”.
“Therefore, we appeal to all Cape Verdeans, in the country and in the diaspora, to fly with a TACV, our flagship company”, continued Sara Pires, reporting that, at an early stage, ticket sales are available online, through the site.
The president said that partner travel agencies will be anticipated to sell flights by TACV, Cabo Verde Airlines, the company’s trade name.
At this time, the recovery will be gradual, taking into account uncertainties and blockages as a result of the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the recovery of outbound markets.
“With a view to stabilizing markets and a gradual increase in demand, during the first quarter of 2022, weekly flights will be introduced from Mindelo and the island of Sal”, he stressed.
The company will also have a voucher rebate program for flights not taken, which allows travel scheduling for up to two years after issuance and that “since it compensates passengers for canceled flights, as a result of the sudden pandemic that devastated all airlines”, stressed Sara Pires.
Previously, the Government had indicated the resumption of Air Transport of Cape Verde (TACV), which has not operated commercial flights since March 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, during the first quarter of 2022.
In March 2019, the State of Cape Verde sold 51% of TACV for 1.3 million euros to Lofleidir Cape Verde, a company owned 70% by Loftledir Icelandic EHF (Icelandair group, which held 36% of Cape Verde Airlines – the company’s trade name) and 30% by Icelandic businessmen with experience in the aviation sector (who took over the remaining 15% of the company 51% share privatized).
On July 6, the Cape Verdean state assumed the position of 51% in TACV, alleging several breaches in management and immediately dissolving the social bodies.
On November 26, Loftleidir Cape Verde announced that it had initiated an arbitration proceeding against the Cape Verdean State alleging “violation of the agreements entered into between the parties”, in light of the aerial renationalization of the TACV flag.
In a statement sent to Lusa, the group of Icelandic origin states that the arbitration process is taking place at the International Court of Arbitration in Paris and states that Loftleidir Cape Verde “has already rejected all accusations of contractual non-compliance alleged by the Cape Verdean State”.
The State of Cape Verde “unilaterally terminated the contract signed between the parties”, thus generating substantial losses for Loftleidir Cape Verde”, he added.