TAAG Angola inducts new A220 into fleet

October 1, 2024 in Business, Companies, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Flag carrier TAAG Angola has inducted the A220-300 into its fleet, setting the stage for commercial operations with the type. The aircraft was unveiled to guests, including shareholders, partners, government officials, and diplomats accredited to Angola in a ceremony held at Luanda 4 de Fevereiro International Airport, on September 30.

The aircraft featuring the carrier’s new livery with the PALANCA (black antelope) Angola’s national symbol on the tailplane and winglets while and an overall color scheme inspired by Angola’s traditional fabrics, was delivered on September 20, on lease from lessor Air Lease Corporation ALC.  It is the first to be delivered from an orderbook of 15 A220’s with six to bought directly from Airbus and the remaining nine sourced under long-term dry lease agreements with multiple lessors including ALC, Aviation Capital Group, Azorra and NAC.

The aircraft displayed in Luanda is configured to 137 seats; 12 in Business and 125 in economy. This is 5 seats less than the configuration the carrier had teased at the Paris Air Show where the airines leadership then said the A220s would be fitted with 142 seats.

TAAG plans to use the aircraft who deliveries will continue into 2025, for fleet renewal and growth. In Luanda yesterday, officials said the A220 would be used on high-demand domestic routes and intra-African routes under the company’s 2024-2029 expansion plan.   .

Founded in 1938, eighty-year-old TAAG Angola Airlines serves a network of fourteen domestic and thirteen international destinations. It operates scheduled services to Brazil and Cuba and is supported by a strong medical exchange program. TAAG currently operates a 22-aircraft fleet made up of five Boeing 777-300ERs, three -200ERs, six 737-700s, and five De Havilland Canada Dash-8 400s.

“With the widest economy seats of any single-aisle  aircraft,  large  windows,  the  highest  ceilings  in  its  class,  and  other innovative  cabin  features,  the  A220  will  contribute  to  offering  a  superior flying experience to TAAG passengers and customers on local and regional flights.” TAAG says in a statement.