TAAG Angola Airlines has reached a remarkable milestone with the successful launch of its first-ever direct flight between Luanda, Angola, and Nairobi, Kenya. This achievement reflects the airline’s commitment to enhancing African connectivity and strengthening economic and cultural ties across the continent.
TAAG, the flag carrier, marked a historic milestone on Monday, September 1, with the arrival of the first inaugural direct flight from Luanda, Angola, to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi, Republic of Kenya.
With this launch, TAAG will operate three flights per week, on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, each lasting approximately four hours. The route will be operated by an Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with a capacity of 137 passengers: 12 in Business Class, 35 in Premium Economy Class, and 90 in Economy Class.
Speaking at the ceremony held at one of the terminals of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, the Ambassador of Angola to the Republic of Kenya and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Angola, Mário de Azevedo Constantino, considered it an important historical milestone, as the frequency of flights will allow the strengthening of ties of friendship between the two peoples, the acceleration of trade exchanges, the promotion of tourism, as well as the growth of the economies of both Angola and Kenya.
The Ambassador added that they must work together to make both economies increasingly more robust.
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Teresia Mbaika, emphasised that this inaugural flight is a sign of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and took the opportunity to reiterate that the Republic of Kenya is open to attracting investment, especially with priority given to investments from the continent. Mbaika believes that this direct flight will facilitate the rapid development of the economy, and the benefits will be mutual, she concluded.
With this connection, TAAG intends to increasingly work towards regional integration and greater intercontinental connectivity from Luanda and Nairobi, thus connecting Africa to Asia, the Americas and Europe.
Upon arrival, the TAAG aircraft was honoured with a traditional water cannon salute, a ceremonial gesture marking a new connection between the two nations.
The event was attended by members of the Kenyan government, the Director of the Africa, Middle East and Regional Organizations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX), Ambassador Jorge Catarino Cardoso, members of the TAAG Board of Directors, the Diplomatic Corps of the Angolan Mission, SADC ambassadors accredited in Nairobi, businesspeople, journalists, and others.
