TAAG Angola Airlines orders six Airbus A220-300s for delivery from 2023
Since the arrival of the new executive last year, TAAG Angola Airlines has begun to rebuild and expand its network, despite the health crisis. Based on new strategic orientations, the company plans to increase its fleet by a third from next year.
The Angolan public carrier has concluded a leasing agreement with the American lessor Air Lease Corporation (ALC) for the acquisition of six new Airbus A220-300. The announcement was made on Monday 18 July 2022 on the sidelines of the Farnborough Airshow, at the Airbus stand. "The lease format was the most agile and financially sustainable model, consistent with the current business environment," said TAAG.
"This partnership is important to us as we celebrate a new era and a new vision for TAAG. We are alive, back in business, breaking with the past, to achieve better results and become a reference for Africa. This partnership underlines our commitment to grow and further enhance our credibility with international stakeholders, while creating a new value proposition for our passengers," says CEO Eduardo Fairen.
According to the agreed timetable, five of the six aircraft should be delivered between January and July 2023. They will replace the 737 fleet, which consists of six aircraft (including one freighter) with an average age of 15 years.
With the new aircraft, TAAG expects to achieve fuel savings of around 30% compared to the Boeing 737s it currently operates on its long-haul routes, and a 20% reduction in overall operating costs. "The versatility of the A220 gives TAAG the range flexibility to cover the entire intra-African and intercontinental markets with state-of-the-art efficiency," says the Angolan flagship.
With a seating capacity of 142, including 12 in business class, a cargo hold of 28m3 and a flight range of 7-8 hours, "the A220 is ideal to meet the needs of the market, both in terms of size and its unique features".
TAAG Angola Airlines' current fleet also includes three 777-200s, five 777-300s and six Dash8-400s.
