Nelson Mandela International Airport
Daylight today(Aug 29, 2026, local time)
About 12h 27m of daylight. Civil twilight (dawn/dusk) approximates the FAA definition of night for logging and currency. Times are computed and approximate — verify with official sources.
About Nelson Mandela International Airport
Nelson Mandela International Airport, also known as Praia International Airport, is an international airport of Santiago Island in Cape Verde. It was opened in October 2005, replacing the old Francisco Mendes International Airport. It is located about 3 km (1.9 mi) northeast of the city centre of Praia in the southeastern part of the island of Santiago.
Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.
Live weather
GVNPNOTAMs
GVNPReference only — not an official briefing. Always obtain a certified briefing (e.g. 1800wxbrief.com / your AIS) before flight.
NOTAM data via the FAA NOTAM system.
Live departures & arrivals
Flight data by AeroDataBox. Times are estimates — not for navigation; confirm with the airline.
Where you can fly from here
Current scheduled routes & daily frequency by AeroDataBox. Approximate — confirm bookable schedules with the airline.
Live traffic nearby
Aircraft currently within ~40 nm, from live ADS-B. Positions are approximately real-time — not for navigation.
Live ADS-B by adsb.lol & the OpenSky Network. Not for navigation.
Map
Runway centrelines, navaids and overlapping airspace. Tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Reference only — not for navigation.
Runways (3)
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighting | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 / 21▸ displaced | 6,890 ft / 2,100 m | 148 ft | Asp | Unlit | Open |
| 03R / 21L▸ displaced | 6,876 ft / 2,096 m | 148 ft | Asp | Lighted | Closed |
| 03L / 21R | 4,209 ft / 1,283 m | 98 ft | Asp | Lighted | Closed |
Radio frequencies (2)
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | PRAIA APP | 118.200 MHz |
| TWR | PRAIA TWR | 118.200 MHz |
Services & operations
The airport has a 2100m runway and can handle up to 1300 passengers per hour.
From the airport’s official website — details may change, so confirm with the airport. Official site
Airlines & destinations
Route data from OpenFlights — historical and may be out of date. Check current schedules.
Weather by month
Share of VFR / marginal-VFR / IFR / low-IFR conditions by month over the last 8 years, with the prevailing wind and typical density altitude. Historical climatology — not a forecast.
Prevailing wind: NNE (from about 22.5°), on 48% of observations, averaging 14 kt.
| Month | VFR / MVFR / IFR / LIFR | % VFR | Median DA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 79% | 1,091 ft | |
| Feb | 68% | 1,091 ft | |
| Mar | 82% | 1,091 ft | |
| Apr | 89% | 1,247 ft | |
| May | 91% | 1,321 ft | |
| Jun | 86% | 1,410 ft | |
| Jul | 67% | 1,566 ft | |
| Aug | 68% | 1,722 ft | |
| Sep | 74% | 1,722 ft | |
| Oct | 85% | 1,685 ft | |
| Nov | 92% | 1,522 ft | |
| Dec | 82% | 1,254 ft |
VFR MVFR IFR LIFR· density altitude ranges ~1,091–1,722 ft through the year· Source: NWS/IEM ASOS archive.
Nearby airports
Great-circle distance and true bearing from Nelson Mandela International Airport.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ICAO code for Nelson Mandela International Airport?
The ICAO code for Nelson Mandela International Airport is GVNP, and its IATA code is RAI.
Where is Nelson Mandela International Airport located?
Nelson Mandela International Airport is large airport located in Praia, Cape Verde, at an elevation of 230 ft (70 m).
How many runways does Nelson Mandela International Airport have?
Nelson Mandela International Airport has 3 runways, the longest being 6,890 ft / 2,100 m.
Which airlines fly to Nelson Mandela International Airport?
Airlines historically serving Nelson Mandela International Airport include Binter Canarias, Royal Air Maroc, Senegal Airlines, TAAG Angola Airlines, TACV, TAP Portugal (based on OpenFlights route data, which may be out of date).
How many destinations are served from Nelson Mandela International Airport?
Historical data lists 15 nonstop destinations from Nelson Mandela International Airport. Always check current schedules.
What time zone is Nelson Mandela International Airport in?
Nelson Mandela International Airport is in the Atlantic/Cape Verde time zone (UTC-01:00).
What is the magnetic variation at Nelson Mandela International Airport?
The magnetic variation (declination) at Nelson Mandela International Airport is approximately 8.3° W, per the World Magnetic Model. Variation changes slowly over time — always use the current value charted for navigation.
What airports are near Nelson Mandela International Airport?
The nearest airport to Nelson Mandela International Airport is Maio Airport (MMO), about 20.3 nm to the ne, followed by Mosteiros Airport and São Filipe Airport.
Is the information on this page suitable for flight planning?
No. Nelson Mandela International Airport data here is for reference and training only — not for navigation. Always consult official sources and current charts before any flight.