TAP Air Portugal has launched direct flights between Porto and Sal Island in Cabo Verde, adding a twice-weekly route that begins service on October 25. The airline will operate the service using Airbus A320neo aircraft, with return fares advertised from €219 including taxes. This marks Sal Island as TAP’s seventh intercontinental destination served nonstop from Porto, expanding the carrier’s reach to include another key tourism hub in the Atlantic archipelago.
The new route operates twice weekly with flights departing Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport on Thursdays and Sundays at 20:50, arriving at Amílcar Cabral International Airport on Sal at 00:20 the following day. Return services depart Sal on Fridays and Mondays at 01:20, reaching Porto at 06:40. The inaugural flight operated as TP1561.
The airline also published an IATA summer-season schedule covering March 29 to October 24, with departures on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 21:05 and return flights on Thursdays and Sundays at 02:35, arriving in Porto at 06:55.
Expanding Connectivity for Travelers
The addition of Sal Island strengthens connections between Portugal and Cabo Verde, offering leisure travelers a more direct route to the island’s established tourism market. TAP highlights the route’s relevance for family visits, business travel, and community ties between the two nations. The service complements TAP’s existing Porto–Praia route, providing an alternative for passengers seeking access to Cabo Verde’s southern island.
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Maria João Cardoso, TAP’s Chief Maintenance Officer, said the route would improve the region’s international connectivity while bringing Portugal and Cabo Verde closer together, highlighting both year-round tourism and opportunities for business and economic investment. The expansion aligns with broader network growth efforts at the airport, which now serves over 130 direct international flights weekly.
TAP’s Network Growth from Porto
The Sal Island route is part of TAP’s strategic expansion from northern Portugal. In 2026, the airline introduced services to Praia and Terceira Island in the Azores, further diversifying its offerings from Porto. Other European destinations include London, Paris, Zurich, Geneva, and Funchal in Madeira. These additions reflect TAP’s efforts to strengthen its presence at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport as a hub for international travel.
Industry recognition for TAP’s intercontinental operations came in October, when the carrier was named Best European Airline to Africa and Best European Airline to South America at the 2026 World Travel Awards. These awards highlight TAP’s growing role in connecting Europe with emerging markets across two continents.
Maintenance Hub and Future Investments
TAP’s expansion in northern Portugal extends beyond passenger routes. The airline plans to establish a Maintenance and Engineering Hub at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport by 2028. The facility, designed to accommodate two Airbus A321 aircraft or similar-sized jets, will handle major aircraft inspections in-house. The project is expected to create approximately 200 specialized jobs and reduce operating costs for the carrier.
