Luanda - The Minister of Transport, Ricardo D'Abreu, on Friday highlighted the geostrategic importance of the new Dr António Agostinho Neto Airport, located in Luanda, as a hub for the transport of people, goods and as an international logistics platform to stimulate regional economies.
The new António Agostinho Neto airport, which is scheduled to open next November, will only operate cargo until the first quarter of 2024.
According to the transport’s minister, the international aviation system, particularly in Africa, has in this new Luanda airport a solid, long-term and intergenerational investment that will benefit the country as well as the regional and international economy.
Speaking at the opening of the 53rd General Assembly of the Association of Airlines of Southern Africa (AASA), he told the 200 delegates at the event that the Angolan government sees aviation as a pillar for boosting human capital and as a development factor for the country.
Ricardo D'Abreu considered that the leaders of African airlines had an opportunity to discuss Africa's potential and find solutions to the sector's major challenges on the continent for the development of civil aviation in the region.
He also pointed to the need to connect Africa with African companies, since 70% of carriers are not from the continent, which is why there is a need to strengthen skills and the technical conditions for providing services that could result in a stronger position in the global context.
At the occasion, TAAG's CEO, Eduardo Fairen, said that connectivity was fundamental to the robustness of airlines and that, at this event, Angola's flag carrier was going to start talks to open new routes on the continent.
"The intercontinental routes have been created, but the problem is the lack of airplanes," the manager said, pointing out that by December they will be leasing three airplanes while they wait for theirs, which are undergoing maintenance.
The 53rd edition of the General Assembly of the Association of Airlines of Southern Africa (AASA) brought together more than 200 delegates from the sector's companies and operators in Luanda to discuss the development of commercial aviation on the continent.
The event is co-organised by TAAG, representing Angola, and is the first time it has been held in the country. It is considered a privileged platform for networking and strengthening relations between industry players, giving the Angolan aviation ecosystem the opportunity to promote its strengths to the international community.
AASA is a regional association that brings together African airlines based south of the equator and acts as a representative on the Civil Aviation Committee of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Founded in 1970, it is made up of 16 member airlines, namely TAAG Angolan Airline, Air Austral, Air Botswana, Airlink, Air Zimbabwe, Congo Airways, Eswatini Air, Federal Airlines, FlyCobra, FlySafair and LAM-Mozanbican Airline.
LIFT, Mango Airlines, Mozanbique Express, Proflight Zambia and South African Airways are also associated. OPF/PPA/DAN/DOJ
