TAAG-Linhas Aéreas de Angola, the national flag carrier, has announced that it transported one million passengers in 2022, exceeding its annual average of 500,000 passengers.
According to the President of the Executive Board (PCE), Edward Fairen, the opening of new domestic, regional and intercontinental routes and an increase in frequencies, which resulted in a total of 28 national and international destinations, contributed to this success.
In an interview with ANGOP, Fairen stated that “this is a historic number for the company, [which] indicates that we are on the right path, but it is still far from the TAAG project, which involves transporting three million passengers a year”.
Fairen also stated that the increase in traditional international routes, such as Lisbon, Portugal, with daily flights, and Durban, South Africa, with three flights per week, as well as Accra, Ghana, and Madrid, Spain, have contributed to the success.
These routes have become a hub for TAAG customers to multiple destinations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, with around 80% of passengers being in transit.
Fairen also highlighted the province of Cabinda, which offers an average of three to four daily services and has also been a significant contributor to the one million passengers transported.
To achieve its goal of transporting three million passengers per year, TAAG is undergoing restructuring, which involves increasing its fleet and replacing the “triple seven” planes.
The PCE stated that the fleet’s reinforcement and replacement would enable the company to reach the target of three million passengers per year within the next seven years. During this period, the fleet will be renewed and increased from the current 21 aircraft to 30 aircraft.
The company has already purchased six aircraft (Airbus A220) under leasing and is currently prospecting for the acquisition of new aircraft.
However, Fairen emphasized that the purchase of new aircraft is currently constrained by demand pressures, which are affecting aircraft manufacturers. He also highlighted the need for caution in the fleet replacement program, stating that there would be no new purchases until 2027.
Fairen explained that “the major constraints on the purchase of new aircraft are related to the deadline for deliveries, so caution must be exercised in this fleet replacement program.”
TAAG, which is celebrating its 43rd anniversary, offers 14 international destinations and 14 domestic destinations, connecting Angolans in the southern region of Africa.
Fairen noted that the company’s success was a historic achievement and that it indicated that TAAG was on the right track towards achieving its project goals. He said that “the milestone of one million passengers transported in 2022 is very important, but we have to continue working hard to improve our services and win the trust of our customers.”
