The flag carrier of Angola is expanding its fleet of Boeing 777s.
TAAG Linhas Aereas de Angola, also known as Angola Airlines, on Monday finalized an order for three 777-300ERs, worth $895 million at list prices.
The deal also includes an option for the airline to buy three additional copies of the plane.
“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 Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, in a statement. “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.”
“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 Dr. Antonio Luis Pimentel Araujo, in a statement. “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.”
TAAG currently operates an all Boeing fleet. Two new Boeing 777-300ERs were delivered in 2011, joining three 777-200ERs, three 737-200s and five 737-700s. The 777s currently connect Luanda to Beijing, Dubai, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Lisbon, while the new planes will provide additional frequencies on these routes and new 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 Dr. Augusto da Silva Tomas, Minister of Transports, in a statement. “TAAG’s fleet will thus be a critical component of Angola’s transportation network and a major contributor to the Angolan economy as a critical foreign revenue earner to our growing economy.”
