In a statement sent to VerAngola, the national airline says that it "continues to consolidate its presence in the air cargo sector internationally with the launch of a new freight transport route to Nairobi" (Kenya).
"The first flight took place this Wednesday, April 30, marking a strategic step in the company's expansion on the African continent", the company said.
With one flight per week, this new cargo service between Luanda and Nairobi will open doors for the floriculture market, as the priority will be the transport of flowers.
"The new LAD-NBO (Luanda-Nairobi) cargo service will have a weekly frequency, operated on Wednesdays, with priority given to the transport of flowers, taking advantage of Kenya's potential as one of the largest exporters in the floriculture segment in the world, with an estimated cargo capacity of 18,000 kilograms (kg) per flight, which could reach between one and two million kg per year", reads the note.
According to David Ambridge, TAAG's Director of Cargo and Mail, this new route "will create new trade opportunities" as well as strengthen TAAG's cargo network in Africa.
"From Nairobi, we expect to transport a large quantity of flowers and other perishables to Angola and other destinations served by TAAG. This route will create new trade opportunities and strengthen our cargo network on the African continent," highlighted David Ambridge, quoted in the statement.
TAAG also states that this new operation fits into its expansion plan, "capitalizing on the Nairobi hub in East Africa to establish strategic connections with the United Arab Emirates and India."
"In addition, the company seeks to offer another logistical alternative for Kenyan flower exporters, facilitating access to the European market through the Luanda hub, powered by TAAG", adds the note.
With the aim of ensuring an efficient and integrated operation, the flag carrier says it has established "strategic partnerships with international players specializing in cargo tracking and focused on the Kenyan market, namely Aerospeed Express, Mitchell Cotts and Tradewinds, entities that own modern cargo infrastructures at Jomo Kenyatta airport and a vast portfolio of agents".
"In addition, TAAG has promoted meetings between Kenyan flower exporters and Angolan buyers, in order to facilitate an effective commercial bridge and promote the participation of national businesspeople", he adds.
The airline also highlights that the introduction of this new cargo route will contribute significantly "to increasing trade between Angola and Kenya, benefiting both Kenyan exporters and Angolan importers".
"The expansion of TAAG's cargo operation is in line with efforts to transform Luanda/Icolo and Bengo into a regional air transport hub, maximizing the potential of the airport infrastructure at Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport, currently with 120,000 tons of annual capacity," says TAAG, which also reports that it has "plans to expand its cargo operations in 2025 to other strategic cities, including Libreville (LBV), Kinshasa (FIH), Harare (HRE), Lusaka (LUN) and Accra (ACC), strengthening its presence in the African market."
