Thaindian News

LUANDA, ANGOLA (BNO NEWS) — Angola’s TAAG Linhas Aereas de Angola (Angola Airlines) on Monday announced it has finalized an order for three additional aircraft from Boeing in a deal valued at approximately $895 million at list prices.

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing said Angola Airlines has finalized an order for three of its 777-300 ER (Extended Range) airplanes, just months after the European Union (EU) decided to allow the African airline to operate its new Boeing aircraft in the 27 member states. The deal also includes purchase rights for three additional 777-300ERs.

“Boeing and TAAG share a strong partnership dating back more than 37 years. We continue to build on that relationship to ensure we share the next 35 years together,” said Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “TAAG operates an all-Boeing fleet and adding three more 777s to its fleet will help TAAG continue to meet its growing demand with products designed for passenger comfort and airline profitability.”

According to Boeing, aviation throughout the African continent continues to outpace the world average as more people fly to and from Africa, especially in Angola where the economy is growing at a rapid pace. This growth is expected to continue through the next few years.

“As we prepare our airline to meet increased demand for travel to and from Angola, adding three more Boeing 777-300ERs to our current fleet of five 777s will keep us well positioned as one of Africa’s leading airlines,” said TAAG Chairman Antonio Luis Pimentel Araujo. “Our customers prefer the comfort of the Boeing airplanes, particularly the 777, and we are proud to add more of what our customers want to our fleet.”

The three new airplanes will be used by Angola Airlines to expand its direct routes to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil, Lisbon and Oporto, Portugal and other European destinations. “The addition of these airplanes to TAAG’s fleet will further position our national flag carrier to effectively compete with all the foreign carriers that want to serve the Angola market,” said Angolan Transport Minister Augusto da Silva Tomas.

Angola Airlines, which was founded in 1938 and currently has a fleet of sixteen Boeing aircraft, was previously banned from operating anywhere in the European Union due to safety concerns. The restrictions have been eased in recent years, and the EU decided in November 2011 to allow nine of the airline’s modern Boeing 777-300 aircraft to operate in the EU. The other seven are still banned.