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Cabo Verde Airlines will restart flights between the Cape Verde islands and the United States on March 31, restoring a key transatlantic link that has been absent for several years, reports Aviation Week. The carrier intends to operate the route with a Boeing 737 MAX 8, connecting the island nation with Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport in Providence. The relaunch marks the airline’s first US service since 2021 and reflects its broader efforts to rebuild international routes. The move also aims to support travel demand from both tourists and the large Cabo Verdean community living in the northeastern United States.
The return follows several years of restructuring for the airline, which has adjusted its fleet and operational strategy since suspending US flights. A key development was securing ETOPS approval for its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, allowing the jet to operate in extended overwater sectors across the Atlantic. At the same time, Providence’s airport has been working to attract more international services as passenger numbers continue to rise. Together, these factors have created an opportunity for Cabo Verde Airlines to re-enter the US market.
Cabo Verde Airlines To Resume US Flights After Nearly Four Years
The airline has filed plans with US authorities to begin flights to Providence starting March 31. The Rhode Island airport previously hosted Cabo Verde Airlines service, which moved its US operations to Boston Logan International Airport in 2017. That Boston route was later discontinued in mid-2021 as the airline scaled back its network. The new Providence service, therefore, represents a return to a familiar gateway, though this time using a smaller, more efficient aircraft.
Cabo Verde Airlines’ current fleet includes a Boeing 737 MAX 8, a Boeing 737-700 and two ATR 72–600 turboprops used primarily for regional services. The MAX 8 is expected to handle the US route due to its improved fuel efficiency and longer range compared with older narrowbody aircraft. With ETOPS certification now secured, the aircraft can safely operate long oceanic sectors required for transatlantic travel. This capability enables the airline to restore intercontinental routes without relying on larger widebody jets. Markus Berger, assistant vice president for air service development at Rhode Island Airport Corporation, said:
“Passenger traffic increased by 11% for the 12 months ending in October, with several individual months experiencing even stronger gains.”
Boeing 737 MAX 8 Enables Transatlantic Return
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport has been actively expanding its route network in recent years. Passenger volumes climbed to around 4.3 million in 2025, representing notable growth compared with the previous year. Airlines have introduced several new routes during this period, including connections to destinations such as Dallas, Denver, San Juan, and Cancun. These additions highlight the airport’s ambition to broaden both domestic and international travel options.
For Cabo Verde Airlines, the United States remains an important market because of strong cultural ties between the islands and communities in New England. Many Cabo Verdean families live in states such as Massachusetts and Rhode Island, creating steady demand for travel between the regions. Reintroducing flights with a smaller, fuel-efficient aircraft allows the airline to test the market while controlling operational costs. If demand proves strong, the route could potentially expand or lead to additional US destinations in the future.
Beyond its transatlantic operations, the airline currently focuses heavily on European routes linking the islands to cities such as Lisbon, Paris, and Milan. Cabo Verde Airlines also operates domestic flights within the archipelago and plans to expand certain European services in the coming months. Strengthening these connections helps position the islands as both tourist destinations and transit points between continents.
Cabo Verde Airlines To Receive New Boeing 737 MAX
The new aircraft is set to arrive to the company in July 2023.
Providence Airport Strengthens International Connectivity
The Boeing 737 MAX family has increasingly been used by airlines to operate long, thinner routes that may not support widebody aircraft. Its improved fuel burn and extended range allow carriers to connect smaller cities across continents while keeping operating costs manageable. As a result, the aircraft has opened opportunities for airlines to restore or launch transatlantic services that previously required larger jets. Cabo Verde Airlines is among several carriers leveraging this capability.
Before the pandemic, Cabo Verde Airlines relied heavily on Boeing 757 aircraft for its long-haul routes. Those jets were eventually retired as the airline restructured its operations and focused on a smaller, more efficient fleet. The transition reflects a wider industry shift toward next-generation narrowbody aircraft capable of longer missions. As travel demand continues to recover, the airline may look to expand its network further using these aircraft.
The resumption of US flights is therefore a significant step for Cabo Verde Airlines, signaling a gradual rebuilding of its international network while strengthening links between the Cape Verde islands and communities abroad.
