On the morning of November 10th, 2024, local time in Angola, the Boeing 737-700 aircraft, operated by TAAG ,successfully took off from Dr. Neto International Airport and landed safely at Cabinda Airport after 1 hour and 10 minutes of flight. It then returned smoothly. The arrival and departure of the first passenger flight marks the official launch of the airport's passenger transportation function.
Mr. Andonio Pembar, General Manager of the Temporary Operations Company at the airport, accepted he domestic and international flight operation certificates issued by ICAO.
Angola's Minister of Transport Mr.Ricardo de Abreu greets boarding passengers
“Today is a day worth celebrating, a historic moment in the development of our country's civil aviation industry. We are proud to see the smiles on the faces of passengers and staff”, said the Minister of Transport Mr.Ricardo de Abreu. Meanwhile, he emphasized that the opening of the new airport is not only an important milestone for Angola's civil aviation industry, but also another important achievement of SINO-ANGOLA cooperation.
Passengers’ check-in for the inaugural flight
“This airport will become TAAG’s new headquarter and we are very optimistic about the airport built by Chinese enterprises, which will help Angola Airlines achieve greater development” conveyed by the CEO of TAAG Mr. Nielsen Oliveira who went through the first takeoff and landing flight at the airport.
Pick-up personnel at the arrival hall
TAAG highly appreciates the modern facilities and service quality of the new airport, and hopes that the new airport can help the company achieve greater development. According to the plan, Angola will expand the flight destinations of the new airport to some eastern provinces of the country in early December, and it is expected that all domestic and international flights will be transferred to the new Airport by March 31st, 2025.
The new airport is located 40 kilometers southeast of the capital city of Luanda. It is undertaken by China National Aero-technology International Engineering Co., Ltd. and implemented by AVIC-KDN Airport Engineering Co., Ltd. Over 5000 Chinese employees and more than 20000 Angolan employees have been involved in the project construction.
Group photo of some Chinese employees participating in the construction
Dr. Neto International Airport is positioned as an international hub airport in southwest Africa, a key "the Belt and Road" project jointly built by China and Angola in the field of aviation infrastructure, and also a national strategic project of Angola. The new airport has two flight zones, 4E and 4F, which can meet the takeoff and landing requirements of large civil aviation aircraft such as B747 and A380. The annual passenger throughput is 15 million, and the annual cargo and mail throughput is 130,000 tons. At the same time, relevant supporting facilities will be constructed, and the construction area of various individual projects at the airport will reach 450,000 square meters. This project is the largest hub-type international airport with the most comprehensive functions ever built overseas by a Chinese enterprise in one go.