On the second day of the Paris Air Show, TAAG Angola Airlines, the national carrier of Angola, announced a significant development in its fleet expansion plans. The airline has entered into a lease agreement with Azorra for the addition of three Airbus A220-300 aircraft, further bolstering its commitment to modernization and growth.
The lease agreement with Azorra signifies TAAG’s dedication to building a versatile fleet capable of addressing various flight typologies with enhanced operational efficiency, catering to both regional and international destinations. The newly incorporated Airbus A220 aircraft will be delivered to TAAG from Azorra’s order book with Airbus, with the first aircraft expected to join the airline’s fleet in July 2024.
Eduardo Fairen, CEO of TAAG Angola Airlines, expressed the company’s enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “Incorporating the Airbus A220 clearly demonstrates TAAG’s ambition for modernization and growth. We are committed to providing our passengers with enhanced travel experiences, and the A220’s advanced features perfectly align with our vision.”
This recent lease agreement follows TAAG’s successful partnership with Aviation Capital Group (ACG), which was announced on first day of the Paris Air Show. With ACG, TAAG Angola Airlines secured a long-term agreement to acquire four Airbus A220-300 aircraft, scheduled for delivery starting in 2025. Together with the newly announced agreement with Azorra, TAAG is set to expand its A220 fleet to a total of thirteen aircraft by 2025, replacing its existing fleet of Boeing 737-700s.
Tom Baker, CEO and Chairman of ACG, emphasized the significance of the A220 for TAAG’s growth strategy. He stated, “The A220 will play a crucial role in supporting TAAG’s mission to reopen markets, access new destinations, and increase connectivity options with more frequencies.”
TAAG Angola Airlines has been focused on fleet renewal to enhance the profitability of its destination network. By 2025, the airline’s fleet for domestic and regional destinations will consist of six Dash 8 aircraft and thirteen Airbus A220-300s.
Currently, TAAG operates flights to 13 domestic destinations, serving the Angolan market with DHC 8-400 aircraft. The addition of Kuito (SVP) and Uige (UGO) in September will expand its domestic network.
Additionally, the airline operates regional flights to Cape Town (CPT) and Johannesburg (JNB) in South Africa, Windhoek (WDH) in Namibia, Pointe Noire (PNR) in the Congo, Kinshasa (FIH) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Maputo (MPM) in Mozambique, Sao Tome (TMS) in Sao Tome and Principe, and Lagos (LOS) in Nigeria.
With the arrival of the new A220 aircraft, TAAG Angola Airlines will further strengthen its regional presence, adding Accra (ACC) in Ghana to its network in September, followed by Durban (DUR) in South Africa in October. As TAAG continues to invest in modernizing its fleet and expanding its route network, the airline aims to offer passengers enhanced comfort, reliability, and connectivity, solidifying its position as a leading African airline in the global aviation industry.