The new António Agostinho Neto International Airport in Luanda, which received its inaugural flight on November 10, carrying managers, public figures, traditional authorities and government officials, will serve as Angola’s new hub for passenger flights.
TAAG Angola Airlines will be the first airline to move in and will have its own terminal at the airport. TAAG CEO, Eduardo Farein Soria, said the carrier would start operations initially with cargo flights. From March the airport will be used for domestic passengers, and by mid-July, all international services will move into the new airport.
The construction of the airport and its supporting infrastructure is estimated to have cost more than US$3 billion (R55bn), reports simpleflying.com.
Located about 40km from central Luanda on a 50 sq km precinct, the airport has two runways and will be able to handle 15 million travellers annually.
The airport will be one of the largest on the continent by passenger capacity and will serve as a regional and international hub to contribute to the government's plan for developing Angola’s travel and tourism sector.
This has also been given a boost as Angola now offers a 90-day visa-free stay for foreign nationals from at least 98 countries.
Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport (LAD) will continue to operate, and will remain open for non-commercial air services, including executive jet flights.
