TAAG Angola Airlines is set to embark on an ambitious expansion plan that involves doubling its fleet from 21 to over 40 aircraft by 2025, aiming to bolster its foreign exchange income. Nelson Pedro Rodrigues de Oliveira, the president of the executive committee, revealed this strategic move during a recent tourism industry meeting in Luanda.
De Oliveira highlighted the airline’s focus on enhancing its presence in Africa and Asia to drive foreign currency income through increased route offerings. Plans are underway to seek authorization for new routes to countries such as Ghana, the Central African Republic, Cotê d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Cabo Verde, and selected Asian destinations, with the aim of enhancing ticket price profitability.
The expansion strategy aligns with TAAG’s awaiting delivery of 21 aircraft, including fifteen A220-300s, two B777-300s, two B787-9s, and two B787-10s, as per the ch-aviation fleets module. Despite facing operational challenges due to low aircraft availability, compounded by local economic difficulties and restricted access to foreign exchange for procurement of aircraft parts, De Oliveira underscored the airline’s commitment to adapting to market realities.
With 80% of its costs incurred in foreign currency, TAAG acknowledges the significance of foreign exchange income and aims to align its operations with currency conversion rates and the broader economic landscape. The airline has faced hurdles in acquiring maintenance materials necessary for its fleet over the past months, emphasizing the need for strategic adaptation.
In parallel, discussions regarding the potential privatization of TAAG have resurfaced, with the airline seeking a reputable partner to drive tourism to Angola and enhance traffic to the newly inaugurated Luanda Dr António Agostinho Neto airport. While passenger flights at the airport have been postponed to the last quarter of 2024, TAAG remains poised to navigate these developments in its pursuit of sustainable growth and operational excellence.
