Bem-vindos a Angola! TAAG Angola Airlines starts direct Luanda–Nairobi passenger flights

September 2, 2025 in Business, Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

TAAG Angola Airlines officially launched direct flights between Luanda and Nairobi September 1, expanding options for travel between Southern and Eastern Africa.

The inaugural flight touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 2 PM on Monday, where it was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute and cultural performances. On board was a high-level delegation comprising Angolan and Kenyan government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and members of the airline’s board.

The passenger flights follow a 1x weekly cargo service which started April 30 between the two hubs.

The passenger route, operated by an Airbus A220-300, will offer three weekly nonstop services on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. With a seating capacity of 137 passengers—12 in business class, 35 in premium economy, and 90 in economy—the four-hour service is expected to enhance convenience for travellers while strengthening connectivity between the two regions.

TAAG officials said the Luanda–Nairobi connection not only signals the airline’s entry into the Kenyan market but also provides a strategic gateway linking Africa’s west coast with East Africa’s trade and tourism hub. “This route empowers intra-African mobility while leveraging our hubs in Luanda and Nairobi to connect passengers seamlessly to Asia, Europe, and the Americas,” the airline said in a statement.

Kenyan and Angolan officials highlighted the broader significance of the launch, noting that enhanced air connectivity is a critical enabler of bilateral trade, tourism growth, and people-to-people exchanges.

The route comes as African carriers increasingly look to expand intra-continental networks, reducing reliance on long detours through non-African hubs. For TAAG, which is in the midst of a modernisation and network expansion drive, Nairobi provides a vital link to East Africa’s fast-growing markets.

With the ceremonial launch complete, TAAG’s entry into Nairobi underscores a wider trend of African airlines positioning themselves to drive regional integration and intercontinental connectivity.