TAP Air Portugal will launch a direct flight from Porto to Sal Island in Cape Verde on October 25, adding to its intercontinental network from Portugal’s second-largest city.
Porto’s long-haul options expand
The airline currently operates flights from Porto to six other intercontinental destinations: New York, Boston, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Luanda, and Praia. Sal increases that total to seven, alongside European routes to London, Paris, Zurich, Geneva, Terceira, and Funchal.
An A320neo aircraft will serve the route, departing Porto on Thursdays and Sundays at 20:50 and arriving in Sal at 00:20. Return flights leave Sal on Fridays and Mondays at 01:20, landing in Porto at 06:40. During the IATA summer season, the schedule shifts, with departures from Porto on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 21:05 and arrivals in Sal at 01:35. Return flights then operate on Thursdays and Sundays, leaving Sal at 02:35 and reaching Porto at 06:55.
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TAP recently expanded service from Porto with flights to Terceira in the Azores and Praia in Cape Verde on July 1 and 2. It now offers over 130 direct flights weekly from the city, including more than 20 to intercontinental destinations.
Year-round service and stopover benefits
The airline converted its Porto–Boston route to year-round operation. Its network from Porto also connects to the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and several African cities, with onward travel available from Lisbon and Porto.
A stopover program lets passengers break long-haul journeys in Lisbon or Porto for up to 10 days without extra charges. This feature has attracted travelers combining European and transatlantic trips.
The new route simplifies travel for northern Portuguese passengers, who previously relied on connections through Lisbon. TAP already operates multiple weekly flights to Cape Verde from the capital.
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European airlines are increasingly linking secondary hubs to leisure destinations in Africa and the Atlantic. While Lisbon remains TAP’s main hub, Porto’s role has grown, providing more direct options outside the capital.
The Porto–Sal route will run twice weekly in winter and three times in summer. Bookings can be made through TAP’s website or travel agencies. The airline also offers packages that include hotels and activities in Cape Verde, appealing to vacationers planning extended stays.
Amílcar Cabral International Airport serves as the primary gateway to Cape Verde, with connections to other islands in the archipelago.
