Angola’s national carrier TAAG – Linhas Aéreas de Angola on Friday inaugurated the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner on its Luanda–Lisbon–Luanda route, marking the first commercial operation of the aircraft type on the airline’s European network.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, TAAG said the debut represents a new phase in its long-haul fleet modernisation strategy.
The 787-10 entered service on the carrier’s principal intercontinental route following completion of the aircraft’s certification process by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the airline said.
The move reinforces TAAG’s capacity to meet growing passenger demand between Angola and Portugal and consolidates the airline’s role in connecting Angola to major international markets, the statement added.
TAAG Chairman Clóvis Rosa described the occasion as another milestone in the airline’s transformation.
Rosa said the entry of the Boeing 787-10 on the Lisbon route represents far more than the introduction of a new aircraft.
“It is an investment in service quality, operational efficiency and TAAG’s ability to connect Angola to the world’s leading international markets. We are building a more modern, more competitive airline, ready to meet the expectations of our passengers and the development needs of the country,” he said.
In an initial phase, the Boeing 787-10 will operate two weekly frequencies between Luanda and Lisbon. Outbound flights depart Luanda’s Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport on Fridays and Saturdays as overnight services, while return flights depart Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport on Saturdays and Sundays as morning services.
Lisbon is TAAG’s primary intercontinental destination, consistently recording among the highest load factors across the airline’s international network, according to the statement.
The Angola–Portugal corridor continues to be driven by strong economic, institutional, cultural and family ties between the two countries, serving business travellers, tourists and passengers visiting relatives and friends.
Configured for 367 passengers — 24 in Business Class and 343 in Economy Class — the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner incorporates a new generation of technological and operational solutions designed to enhance the long-haul travel experience.
All seats are fitted with a state-of-the-art individual in-flight entertainment system. Business Class features new fully-flat seats engineered to deliver high levels of comfort, privacy and rest.
The introduction of the 787-10 on the Lisbon route forms part of TAAG’s broader fleet renewal programme and supports Angola’s strategy to strengthen international air connectivity.
With this deployment, the Dreamliner family now covers the airline’s operations to Europe, Asia and the Americas, reinforcing TAAG’s position as a flag carrier in the service of mobility, trade, tourism, investment and Angola’s economic development.
TAAG is Angola’s leading airline, with an internationally recognised profile and sustained growth, currently serving 13 domestic and 12 international destinations.
Beyond passenger transport, the airline’s fleet also operates cargo services, a segment that is becoming increasingly essential to the development of Angola’s local business ecosystem.
Source: ANGOP / Original article: www.angop.ao
