"The understanding has been that we need to position ourselves here in the SADC [Southern African Development Community] region and the great truth is that other countries in the region have taken these steps and, therefore, Angola being a country with relevance In this part of the continent, I think NAIL makes perfect sense," the analyst told Lusa.
According to Albino Pakissi, although NAIL, whose inauguration is scheduled for Friday, took more than ten years to complete, the structure constitutes an added value, especially for promoting tourism across the country.
Pakissi considered that, to improve the infrastructure, which cost the State coffers 2.5 billion dollars, the authorities will need to work harder, especially to guarantee regular daily flights, cargo or passengers.
"We need to work on our reality from the point of view of transporting tourists, their accommodation and the hotel offer, but I believe that the Angolan Government will be prepared to work on this reality", he stressed.
NAIL, according to authorities, will have the capacity to receive 15 million passengers/year, including international and domestic passengers, and is designed to handle 50 thousand tons of cargo/year.
Albino Pakissi insisted that the new airport unit will be an added value due to the fact that it is located in a virgin area, which could be developed, and with great tourist capabilities.
On the other hand, he said he believes that "the Government is preparing transport and circulation conditions for people coming to the airport", which "will increase circulation in the city".
This international airport, called "Dr. António Agostinho Neto", in honor of the first Angolan President, is located 45 kilometers southeast of the center of the capital, in the territory of the commune of Bom Jesus, municipality of Icolo and Bengo.
The well-known Angolan analyst recalled that an international competition will be held for the management of NAIL, and argued that, if the infrastructure "is managed by the best", it will be a turning point.
Albino Pakissi called for an "end to political interference", stressing that "it is necessary not to mix politics with business".
"Because we have a problem today, in which many of our politicians, including active ones and those in Government, interfere when businesspeople appear to do their best", he noted.
For the analyst, "if there is a desire for politicians not to mix with the business community", and if they are "the ones to do it and not the politicians", Angola will have "a big turntable, however it must be the business people doing it and not the politicians".
The Minister of Transport, Ricardo de Abreu, said, last week, that NAIL will start operations gradually, prioritizing cargo operations this year and at the end of the first quarter of 2024 it should receive the first domestic flights and later international flights .
