cape verde's strategic location at the crossroads of mid-atlantic air and sea lanes has been enhanced by significant improvements at mindelo's harbour (porto grande) and at sal's and praia's international airports. a new international airport was opened in boa vista in december 2007 and on the island of são vicente the newest international airport (cesária évora airport) in cape verde was opened in late 2009. ship repair facilities at mindelo were opened in 1983.