TAAG Angola Airlines Takes Full Control of Luanda-Lisbon Route

Angolan airline TAAG has terminated its service agreement with Portuguese carrier HiFly, assuming full management of the Luanda-Lisbon-Luanda route. According to Nelson de Oliveira, CEO of TAAG, the airline currently operates flights to Lisbon, specifically with flights DT 652 and DT 650, as reported by the E&M media website on May 13, 2024.

“TAAG resumed its DT flight (…), ending the service that was provided by Hifly,” said the CEO of the Angolan flag carrier.

In June 2022, TAAG and Portuguese ACMI specialist HiFly announced an agreement involving an Airbus A330 aircraft. The agreement, signed by former TAAG CEO Eduardo Fairen Soria, was justified as a solution to ensure the “continuity and regularity” of operations on the Luanda-Lisbon route, which experiences high demand. The decision coincided precisely with the maintenance work that TAAG is carrying out on part of its long-haul fleet, specifically the Boeing 777s model.

TAAG aims to reintegrate its Boeing 777, averaging 17.5 years old, into service as the airline awaits the arrival of new widebody aircraft later in August this year. Last month, on April 25, 2024, TAAG Angola Airlines finalized a 5-year contract with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) for Boeing 777 repair support. The contract also includes an MBK (Main Base Kit) for TAAG’s fleet of five Boeing 777-300ER and three Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

TAAG Angola Airlines offers two daily flights from Luanda to Lisbon, totaling 14 flights per week. These flights are operated using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which accommodate 293 passengers. The seating configuration includes 12 in the ‘business plus’ class, 56 in the ‘standard business’ class, and 225 in economy class. TAP Air Portugal provides direct competition with daily flights on the same route.

While TAAG currently serves only Lisbon in Europe, the airline plans to resume its Luanda-Madrid route during the Northern winter 2024/25 season. Passengers can now make reservations for travel on or after Oct. 29, 2024, as reported by AeroRoutes on May 10, 2024. Additionally, Iberia will display IB-coded flight numbers on this route starting from the same date.

Currently, TAAG Angola Airlines operates a fleet of 23 aircraft, including nine 737s, eight 777s, and six De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400s. The airline is however looking to expand its fleet with an order signed in October 2023 with Boeing for four new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, comprising of two 787-9s and two 787-10s. Deliveries are expected to begin as early as August 2024.

In preparation for these additions, TAAG has ordered eight GEnx-1B engines, along with one spare engine, to power its 787 fleet. The airline has also signed long-term lease agreements for fifteen Airbus A220 aircraft from various leasing firms, with deliveries scheduled to begin in Q3 2024.

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Victor Shalton

Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.

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