Cape Verde popularity to soar

The popularity of Cape Verde as a holiday destination looks set to increase this winter when direct flights from the UK are launched.

Independent airline Astraeus plans to start weekly flights from both London Gatwick and Manchester to the island of Sal from November 2006.

Cape Verde is an archipelago comprising ten islands - some mountainous, some flat and sandy - in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

There are currently no direct flights from the UK; the quickest route - via Lisbon with Portuguese airline TAP – takes seven and a half hours.

But the Astraeus flights will bring Cape Verde to within six hours of the UK, leading some to tip it as the new Caribbean.

"These islands are rapidly establishing themselves as a new and different destination with a number of environment-sensitive property and hotel developments taking place throughout the main islands in the group," said Jonathan Hinkles, commercial director of Astraeus.

"It is, however, a relatively new holiday destination for discerning travellers – but has only previously been accessible by air via southern European or African airports, or by sea."

Astraeus is working with tour operator Holiday Options and others to offer new package holidays to the islands based around the new direct flights.

The airline expects the flights themselves to cost £329 for a return ticket including taxes, fees and fuel supplement.

Cape Verde is a former Portuguese colony, gaining independence in 1975. The climate is dry tropical, with average temperatures ranging between 21C and 31C, and water temperatures ranging between 22C and 27C.

For more information, go to: www.flyastraeus.com