Thus, it is estimated that commercial passenger flights to the aforementioned cities will begin one month after the launch of AIAAN, and the head of the Transport portfolio informed that, to this end, procedures are underway to comply with the current schedule.
Having witnessed the "baptism" of the debut flight, which 'torn' the skies on the Luanda-Cabinda-Luanda route with 191 passengers on board, the minister, quoted by Angop, also mentioned the fact that aeronautical operations aimed at Luanda change to the reference NBJ, corresponding to the new airport, instead of the old LAD, which refers to the 'old' airport (Airoport 4 de Fevereiro).
Thus, he recalled that the transfer of connections to AIAAN will be completed by March 31st of next year, and at that time tickets to and from Luanda must already mention NBJ.
Regarding the flights, with regard to the operation, the government official said that it occurred positively, with teams adequately prepared: "The services left and arrived on time, namely the first and second", he pointed out, expressing pride in the service carried out in the new airport and the celebration environment, with all security procedures observed.
On the occasion, he also considered that the beginning of passenger flights at Agostinho Neto airport is a historic milestone for national civil aviation.
One year after the President of the Republic inaugurated AIAAN, the country saw the new airport begin operations. This Sunday, the airport debuted with flights on the Luanda-Cabinda route.
Operated by TAAG, the route was carried out by a Boeing 737-700 that carried 92 passengers and returned with 99 people on board, including the governor of Cabinda, Suzana de Abreu, writes Angop.
The big event of the day was the inaugural flight, and to mark this, the Minister of Transport symbolically handed out gifts, namely hats and shirts, to some passengers, whose gesture was followed by the airport infrastructure staff.
In addition, the governor also inaugurated a store that offers commercial services, with the exception of cargo, writes Angop.
Remember that, for now, only flights to Cabinda will be operated, however, TAAG will progressively include other routes in its schedule. The next step is next month with the integration of the Eastern region routes – Dundo, Saurimo and Luena – and Soyo into the flight plan from Agostinho Neto airport, and gradually, in the first quarter of next year, the transfer of other connections.
Among the facilities of this airport, which will be capable of receiving more than 15 million passengers per year, are shops, VIP lounges, restaurants, a clinic, first aid center, car park with capacity for more than 1500 cars, among others.
