TAAG Angola Airlines has placed an order with planemaker Boeing to receive four 787 Dreamliner widebody jets.
The joint announcement by Boeing and Angola’s flag carrier came on October 12, 2023, and reflects TAAG’s desire to modernize its fleet.
TAAG Angola Airlines currently flies five 777-300ER jets, three 777-200ERs and seven 737-700s to 12 destinations across Africa, Europe, South America, and China.
“Our goal is to work with the best manufacturers in the world towards a multi-type fleet, in order to ensure we have the appropriate airplanes for each flight typology, namely our intercontinental connections,” Eduardo Fairen, CEO of TAAG Angola Airlines, said. “The 787 option suits our intent for modern, size-wise and efficient equipment, able to progressively replace our current widebody fleet, and provide our customers with an improved flight experience.”
Boeing’s vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa, Anbessie Yitbarek, said the new aircraft will allow the airline to “open new routes and expand their international network”.
“The Dreamliner’s market-leading efficiency and passenger comfort will advance the carrier’s fleet modernization plans,” Yitbarek added.
Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook for Africa projects that the continent will need 1,025 airplanes over the next two decades.
Overall African air traffic growth is forecast at 7.4%, the third highest among global regions and above the global average growth of 6.1%.
Since revenue service began in 2011, the 787 family has launched more than 370 new nonstop routes around the world.
TAAG Angola Airlines was founded in 1938 and it is based in Luanda, Angola’s capital city.