Angola has taken a monumental step towards transforming its travel and trade industry with the opening of the Dr Antonio Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN) in Luanda. As Africa’s seventh-largest country, Angola has historically seen limited tourism, but this £3 billion project, the largest airport ever constructed by a Chinese enterprise outside of China, is set to change that narrative.
Designed to accommodate 15 million passengers annually and handle 130,000 metric tons of cargo, the state-of-the-art facility boasts two modern runways and three terminal buildings. Though cargo operations began in late 2023, passenger services launched only recently, with TAAG Angola Airlines operating the first passenger flight to Cabinda Province. The airline plans to expand domestic routes by late 2024 and introduce international flights by 2025.
This new infrastructure is more than a transportation hub; it’s a strategic move to bolster Angola’s economy through tourism, trade, agriculture, and logistics. Transport Minister Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu emphasized the broader impact, stating that Africa’s connectivity potential is vast but hindered by limited infrastructure and aviation resources. With its advanced facilities, the new airport aims to address these challenges, enhancing Angola’s role in the regional and continental aviation ecosystem.
As Luanda’s new airport takes flight, it promises to position Angola as a key player in Africa’s aviation and economic landscape, opening doors to unprecedented opportunities in trade and tourism.
