Luanda, Angola – Angola’s national airline, TAAG, marked a significant milestone with an inaugural flight at the newly unveiled Dr. António Agostinho Neto Airport in Luanda. The event took place on Friday, featuring a Boeing 777 – 300 TEK airplane carrying 131 passengers.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Gelson Moniz, the flight, which lasted approximately 13 minutes, had on board a mix of managers, public figures, traditional authorities, government officials, and other guests. The aircraft was piloted by Commander João Mendes, head of TAAG’s 777 fleet, which will be based at the new airport.
Moniz revealed that while the inaugural flight marks a significant moment, TAAG will commence full operations from the new airport in 2024. The airline plans to connect various domestic, regional, and international destinations from this hub.
The airport, located 40 kilometers from the capital, is set to begin operations in phases. The first phase, focused on cargo services, will run until February 2024. The second phase, starting in February 2024, will introduce domestic flights, with international flights scheduled to begin in June.
During the first phase, the airport will operate with provisional certification due to the lack of extensive operational experience. The gradual opening of the new facility aims to ensure safety, testing, certification, and staff training, assessing real demand to minimize risks and ensure a smooth transition to full operation.
The Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN), sprawling over an area of 1,324 hectares, has the capacity to handle 15 million passengers and 130,000 tons of cargo annually. Equipped with two double runways, the airport can accommodate large aircraft, including the B747 and A380, the latter being among the largest commercial aircraft currently in service.
The airport’s south runway, measuring 4,000 meters in length and 60 meters in width, previously hosted TAAG’s experimental flight of a Boeing 777 aircraft in June 2022. The AIAAN, strategically located in the urban district of Bom Jesus, promises to be a significant asset for Angola’s capital and the region’s aviation sector.
