TAAG Angola to start Luanda–Nairobi passenger flights in September

July 8, 2025 in Business, Companies, Trade & Industry, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Flag carrier TAAG Angola Airlines is making a long-awaited strategic move into East Africa, with the launch of direct passenger flights between Luanda and Nairobi scheduled to commence on September 1, 2025. The new route, to be operated thrice weekly using the modern Airbus A220-300, marks a significant milestone in TAAG’s eastward expansion, and underscores the carrier’s dual strategy of growing both its passenger and cargo footprint across Africa.

The Luanda–Nairobi service will not only deepen connectivity between Southern and Eastern Africa but also link two of the continent’s critical aviation and trade corridors. Nairobi, long established as a gateway between Africa, Europe, and Asia, presents an ideal partner hub for Angola’s efforts to integrate more fully into pan-African and global transport networks.

In a statement announcing the launch today, TAAG described the Nairobi service as a move that adds “competitive advantages plus mobility options for passengers, bilateral businesses, and diplomatic relations.” The new passenger route follows closely on the heels of TAAG’s successful cargo operations to Nairobi, which began on April 30, 2025, making this a full-spectrum air services launch.

Passenger Flights Cement Network Expansion

The passenger route is part of TAAG’s broader plan to reposition itself as a competitive African carrier with deep regional reach. According to the airline, tickets for the Luanda–Nairobi flights are already available via TAAG’s sales channels. The A220-300, known for its efficiency and range on medium-haul routes, was added to the TAAG fleet in October 2024 and is central to this next chapter of growth.

TAAG has a total order of 15 A220s, with six procured directly from Airbus and nine acquired through long-term dry lease agreements with global lessors including Aviation Capital Group, ALC, Azorra, and NAC. The Nairobi route is one of the first to benefit from this new fleet capability, offering passengers a modern, fuel-efficient travel experience.

Cargo: Flowers and Freight Build Early Momentum

While the passenger route marks TAAG’s official foray into East African skies, the groundwork was laid earlier with the launch of weekly freighter services between Luanda and Nairobi. The inaugural cargo flight on April 30 kicked off a weekly operation prioritising the movement of Kenya’s high-value flower exports, with each flight capable of carrying up to 18,000 kilograms of cargo. The route is expected to move between 1 and 2 million kilograms of freight annually.

TAAG’s Director of Cargo and Mail, David Ambridge, emphasized that the Nairobi freighter route is part of the airline’s long-term strategy to build a “robust cargo network across Africa” and promote trade between East, Southern, and international markets.

“From Nairobi, we hope to transport a large quantity of flowers and other perishables to Angola and the destinations served by TAAG,” Ambridge noted. “This route will create new trade opportunities and strengthen our cargo network on the continent.”

Nairobi as a Strategic Hub

TAAG is positioning Nairobi as a central transit point within its expanding cargo and passenger network. With Kenya’s strong export profile—especially in perishables like cut flowers—Nairobi presents a natural complement to Luanda’s rising status as a logistics hub, anchored by the new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport, which has an annual cargo capacity of 120,000 tons.

To support seamless cargo operations, TAAG has partnered with major ground handling firms at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, including Aerospeed Express, Mitchell Cotts, and Tradewinds. These partnerships are designed to ensure efficient handling, cold chain reliability, and improved distribution access.

The airline has also facilitated direct engagement between Kenyan exporters and Angolan importers, aiming to reduce logistics costs, cut delivery times, and stimulate SME-driven trade across borders.

Aligning with AfCFTA and Angola’s Vision

TAAG’s expansion is closely aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, which promotes regional integration and intra-African trade. By connecting high-demand export markets like Kenya to consumption and transit markets in Angola and beyond, TAAG is not only growing its own competitiveness but also contributing to broader continental integration goals.

The Luanda–Nairobi launch is one of several strategic steps TAAG is pursuing. The airline plans to roll out additional services to key African capitals including Libreville, Kinshasa, Lusaka, Harare, and Accra later in 2025. Just last week, TAAG signed a strategic cargo cooperation deal with Latin American carrier Avianca, extending its reach into the Americas.

TAAG’s dual investment in passenger and cargo services between Luanda and Nairobi marks a turning point for a carrier that, until recently, had limited visibility in East Africa. With new aircraft, deeper regional partnerships, and an increasingly integrated network, TAAG is positioning itself as a vital connector between Lusophone, Anglophone, and Francophone Africa.

In doing so, the airline is helping to bridge regional divides and establish Angola—not just Luanda—as a vital node in Africa’s aviation and trade future.