Angola's national airline adds four 787 Dreamliners to fleet

Boeing and TAAG Angola Airlines announced today that the African carrier is adding the highly fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliner to its fleet with an order for four widebody jets.

Boeing and TAAG Angola Airlines announced today that the African carrier is adding the highly fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliner to its fleet with an order for four widebody jets. (Image: Boeing)

"Our goal is to work with the best manufacturers in the world towards a multi-type fleet, in order to ensure we have the appropriate airplanes for each flight typology, namely our intercontinental connections," said Eduardo Fairen, CEO of TAAG Angola Airlines. "The 787 option suits our intent for modern, size-wise and efficient equipment, able to progressively replace our current widebody fleet, and provide our customers with an improved flight experience."

"The 787 Dreamliner will enable TAAG Angola Airlines to open new routes and expand their international network," said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa. "The Dreamliner's market-leading efficiency and passenger comfort will advance the carrier's fleet modernization plans."

TAAG Angola Airlines currently flies five 777-300ER (Extended Range) jets, three 777-200ERs and seven 737-700s to 12 destinations across Africa, Europe, South America and China.

Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook for Africa projects that the continent will need 1,025 airplanes over the next two decades. Overall African air traffic growth is forecast at 7.4%, the third highest among global regions and above the global average growth of 6.1%.

TAAG Angola Airlines to lease four Airbus A220 aircraft from Aviation Capital Group

Aviation Capital Group, one of the world’s premier full-service aircraft asset managers with over 480 owned, managed and committed aircraft as of March 31, 2023, has announced it has entered into long-term leases with TAAG Angola Airlines for four new Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to TAAG in 2025 from ACG’s order book with Airbus.

“On behalf of ACG, we’re truly honoured and proud to be a business partner of TAAG Angola Airlines, supporting its growth and expansion plans with the modern and environmentally friendly A220-300 aircraft. This state-of-the-art equipment, with its comfort, low noise and fuel economy characteristics will support TAAG’s mission to reopen markets, tap into new destinations and increase the connectivity options with more frequencies,” said Tom Baker, CEO and President of ACG.

“The incorporation of four new A220 aircraft under the agreement with ACG is a clear sign of our international credibility and a major milestone in renewing the TAAG fleet. We are deeply committed to growing the company by leveraging our market share and destination portfolio. Our passengers will benefit from higher connectivity options while planning their trips and a greater flight experience overall, as the Airbus A220 is a smart, tech-advanced equipment suitable for nowadays gadgets,” said Eduardo Fairen, CEO of TAAG Angola Airlines.

TAAG Angola Airlines was founded in 1938 and it is based in Luanda, Angola's capital city. For more than 80 years TAAG has connected Angolans with its key domestic and international markets. TAAG is the leading airline in the country, recognized worldwide for its strong high-yield market, having grown its current network to 14 domestic and 13 international destinations. Its fleet allows, in addition to passenger transport, air cargo services which have become essential for Angola´s growth and development.

TAAG Angola Airlines eyes up South Africa as key cargo market.

South Africa is a key market within the cargo strategy of TAAG Angola Airlines the carrier has reported after transporting over 1.6 million kilograms of miscellaneous goods or cargo from Johannesburg to different parts of the world.

The airline believes South Africa will be a key strategic market for its expanding cargo operations and expects demand to increase dramatically.  TAAG Angola Airlines cargo director, Sajid Khan said: "South Africa is a key market within our cargo strategy and operational footprint. In 2022 we transported more than 1.6million kilograms of miscellaneous goods/cargo from Johannesburg to different parts of the world, and the trend is to increase the volume of cargo and demand for our services,"

South Africa is seen as a major arrival and departure point for international air cargo and TAAG is currently the only operator linking Africa with South America and the airline hopes to restart services to China in the near future. 'Re-establishing the routes with China will allow TAAG to offer long-haul links from Asia (China) to Africa (particularly South Africa) and South America (Brazil), with Angola (Luanda) as a stopover.' the carrier advised. 

"Cargo segment is nowadays strategic for TAAG, with a rising contribution to the company’s sustainability. Thus, I see positive synergies and benefits for the business regarding the New Luanda International Airport – Dr António Agostinho Neto – going live in the next years." said Eduardo Fairen, CEO of TAAG.

Six new Airbus A220-300 aircraft for TAAG Angola Airlines

Today one of the leading aircraft leasing firms,  Air Lease Corporation confirmed a deal for six new Airbus A220-300 aircraft leased long-term to TAAG Angola Airlines. These planes will come from ALC's existing order book with Airbus and are scheduled to arrive between 2023 and the end of 2024 

“ALC is pleased to announce this significant lease placement for six new Airbus A220s with TAAG and be the first to introduce Airbus aircraft to the airline,” said Steven Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation.  “The capabilities of the A220-300 will greatly enhance TAAG’s operational efficiency and expanding route network with the most modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.”

“The A220-300 with its fuel efficiency, range and improved operating economics will progressively replace TAAG’s Boeing 737-700 fleet and allow the airline to optimize and broaden its flight schedule coverage and destinations from Luanda,” said Kishore Korde, Executive Vice President of Air Lease Corporation.

“Today we start our relationship with ALC incorporating six new Airbus A-220-300 into our fleet.  It’s indeed a significant announcement for us as we are celebrating a new era and a new vision for TAAG.  We are alive, back in business, breaching with the past to achieve greater results and becoming a reference for Africa. This partnership emphasizes our commitment to grow and further improving our credibility among international stakeholders while creating a new value proposition for our passengers,” said Eduardo Fairen, CEO of TAAG.