Luanda- Angolan president João Lourenço on Monday in Luanda urged the Angolan airlines (TAAG) to be more ambitious and competitive in the international market flying to the main world capitals and better serving the African continent.
"We have to be more ambitious," said the president, adding that the airline cannot be content with travelling to just one Asian country, China, one American country, Brazil, and three European cities on the Mediterranean.
The president, who was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Secretary of State for Civil Aviation, Maritime and Port, Rui Paulo de Andrade Teles Carreira, spoke of the need to open new routes to better serve Africa.
"We must have the ambition to fly to some cities in the United States of America", the Angolan president said, underlining that the airline should take advantage of the improved friendly and cooperation ties and the doors that are opening up.
João Lourenço said the country has bought new Boeing airplanes, although it did not put aside the need to recover the current fleet, which is large, but with a few repair to be make.
The Angolan Head of State added that together with the minister, the recently sworn in Secretary of State, has the responsibility of making TAAG better, having praised the investment the company has made over the last 48 years in terms of human resources and equipments.
The Secretary of State on his turn said he is highly motivated to fulfill with instructions received and promised to promote dialogue to better serve the nation.
Rui Paulo de Andrade Teles was appointed Secretary of State for Civil Aviation, Maritime and Ports a day after the inauguration of the new international airport Dr António Agostinho Neto.
Built in the municipality of Icolo e Bengo in Luanda, the new international airport, inaugurated by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, will start operating in phases, with the first one reserved for cargo services until February 2024.
This will be further followed by domestic flight operations, while international flights will commence in June 2024.
The gradual opening is for reasons of safety, testing, certification and staff training to assess real demand, procedures that help minimise risks and ensure a smooth transition to full operation.
The new airport was designed to become a hub airport with domestic, regional and international connections, making it Angola's main gateway to the world.
It is a strategic piece of infrastructure for the Angolan government, with the aim of increasing tax and tourism revenue, mainly by using cargo flights.
JFS/VIC/AMP
