Cabo Verde: State subsidizes domestic transport for nationals
In 2019, Cape Verde decreed the establishment of a new tariff system for air transport. Two years later, its implementation is all the more necessary as the health crisis has eroded the purchasing power of the populations.
From next week, large families (with more than 4 children), students, people aged over 65, and children aged 2 to 12, will benefit from a 25 to 40% discount, on any inter-island flight. This is what the digital platform for the registration and access of Cape Verdean citizens to specific air fares, launched by the Ministry of Tourism and Transport on Tuesday February 16, in partnership with the operational core of the company of information (NOSI).
Apart from the persons mentioned above, sports teams are also eligible for reductions, the rate of which is not previously defined. To benefit from these advantages, those concerned simply have to register with their national identity card or passport. The launch of this digital portal is part of the new tariff system prescribed by the decree-law of December 19, 2019. This provides for four tariffs (reference, promotional, social and flexible). "The government considers the construction of an integrated transport system, competitive, safe, but just as predictable, essential for the national wealth, the balance of payment, decent employment and the mobility of people and goods", justifies the Minister of Tourism and Transport. According to Carlos Santos, this platform will guarantee fairer air transport for all consumers, and the universality of this service for all Cape Verdeans. The government member believes it will also ensure economic and financial balance for businesses. In addition, it ends the use of physical documents, thereby speeding up service. It should be noted that Transportes Interilhas de Cabo Verde (TICV), the only airline operating domestic flights in the archipelago, began to apply the new prices set by the Cape Verdean government in February 2020. The decree-law however allows air carriers to request extraordinary revision of tariffs and other tariff conditions established in the event of a "sustained drop in demand" which brings the average occupancy rate below 65%, or "increase in costs resulting from unforeseeable changes in factors of production".
