TAAG, the Angolan national airline, has deepened its commitment to the Nigerian market. The airline held a strategic trade forum with members of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) in Lagos on June 19, 2024 to intimate them with product updates and highlight various service offerings it continues to make available to the Nigerian market in an effort to boost its presence and market share on the route.
Mr. George Mawadri, the airline’s Regional Manager, Africa revealed that the Nigerian market holds an important place in its growth strategy being a resilient, prosperous and exciting destination. In response to this, he noted that Nigeria is the only route on its network with two (2) distinct schedules, one at night and one in the daytime, in order to cater to the market’s needs and provide seamless onward connectivity to destinations in Southern Africa, Europe and South America.
“It is very rare to have a mixed schedule especially for a particular market like Lagos. And on our network, Lagos is the only market that has got a mixed schedule which offers both daylight and night flights so that you can connect either to Europe and South America for some flights, and also continue connecting to Southern Africa for thrice a week. As travel agents who we rely on, it is very important that when you are selling you give these options to the passengers,” said Mr. Mawadri.
Explaining further on the mixed schedule, the airline’s Sales Manager in Lagos. Mr. Olusola Olajide said, “We have five weekly flights out of Lagos; three at night and two in the afternoon on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and two flights on Saturday. The night flights depart at 1am with check-in starting at 9pm on the preceding day with perfect schedule for connections thrice weekly to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Windhoek, Maputo, Kinshasa, Pointe Noir and Sao Tome; while the afternoon flights depart at 1pm with perfect schedule for connections twice weekly to Lisbon, Sao Paolo and Madrid.
TAAG also hopes to improve and expand its network in the coming months to more destinations in Africa, Europe and South America as well as to Asia and the Middle East.
“With effect from July we shall start getting new aircraft starting with the Airbus 220s and then every other month we are going to be getting more new aircraft. And when we get to November we will get the first Boeing 787 and in December we will get another 787. And next year as well, we are looking forward to getting more of the A220s because we are expecting 19 of them. So in total we expect to get 21 new aircraft in about a year and a half and this is how we hope to expand the network. So there is going to be more destinations to sell within Africa and the rest of the world,” the Regional Manager declared.
He revealed further that the airline is offering Corporate clients tailored discounts, flexible tickets, more comfortable and spacious seats, as well as lounge access where available. He also noted that the airline is rebranding its fleet under the new corporate identity with a new livery.
In his summation, Mr. Mawadri said, “Construction of a new airport in Luanda with upgraded facilities has been completed and is currently open to Cargo flights. We are looking forward to introducing passenger flights to the new airport in the next couple of months.”
TAAG Angola Airlines Nigeria Office has also forstered formidable partnerships with both Angolan and Namibian Embassies to enhance wholesome and seamless travel and tourism packages to Luanda and Windhoek respectively .
