Chinese-built new airport in Angolan capital to accommodate 15 million passengers annually

Angola's new capital airport, Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN), has opened for passenger flights and is capable of accommodating 15 million passengers annually.

According to the Angolan Ministry of Transport's flight schedules, the new airport, located 40 km southeast of downtown Luanda, the capital of Angola, and built by a Chinese company, saw eight round-trip flights between Luanda and Cabinda, operated by Angola Airlines (TAAG), on its first day of passenger services last Sunday.

After 20 years of planning and construction, Luanda has inaugurated its new international airport. Built with Chinese expertise and financing, this ultra-modern facility is set to reshape Angola's aviation landscape and its economic future. The national carrier, TAAG, is betting on the success of this project to expand its flight network and increase global connectivity through the new hub.

"It will have a great impact on Angola's position as a global hub, not only as a regional, but a global hub going through the African continent. We're talking about an airport with the capability to process 15 million passengers annually -- 10 million internationally and five million domestic -- plus 130,000 tons of cargo," said Miguel Carneiro, Chief Commercial Officer of the TAAG.

The airport will be key to attracting more business and tourism, with plans to expand flight routes, including direct links with China to drive trade and economic growth.

"The airline's strategic plan is currently designed in a view to expand with two regional routes and one intercontinental route. Definitely, we are putting together the business case for China, specifically for Guangzhou," Carneiro said.

Financed by China CITIC Bank, one of China's joint-stock commercial banks, and insured by the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation, the construction of the airport is a step forward for Angola's infrastructure and broader development strategy.

"In 2023, November 10, the airport had started for cargo flight. And this year, November 10, we started for passenger flight," said Liu Hongguang, general manager of the AVIC International Engineering Company.

The new airport significantly elevates Angola's status within the region positioning the country as a key player in global aviation.

"The construction of this airport will provide a significant boost to our country in terms of economic growth. Our geographical position is one of the key factors to transforming this new airport into a hub because we are located in southern Africa, in a more advantageous position compared to our main competitor, South Africa. We have the infrastructure to receive aircraft from all over the world. With modern technology, such as an LS system for air navigation, we believe this will revolutionize our country's air travel history," said Engracia Paredes, an architect of the airport.

The newly inaugurated airport is set to become southwestern Africa's largest aviation hub. Currently serving regional flights to Cabinda, it will begin international routes next year.

Chinese-built new airport in Angolan capital to accommodate 15 million passengers annually

China is willing to strengthen communication, enhance trust, eliminate interference, and deepen cooperation with Canada to bring bilateral relations forward on a steady and sound track in solid strides under the new circumstances, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing on the day.

Referring to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, Wang said the trip marks a milestone in bilateral ties and signals a turning point in the relationship.

The leaders of the two countries will hold meetings and talks, which are expected to open up new prospects for bilateral relations, said Wang.

The world today is undergoing profound and complex changes, and the impact of China-Canada relations transcends the bilateral scope, Wang noted.

Wang said that China and Canada have different social systems, stemming from different historical and cultural heritage, and based on the choices of their respective people.

He urged both sides to view each other in a rational and amicable manner with an inclusive mindset, handle issues on the basis of mutual respect, focus on the agenda of cooperation, and send positive messages so as to foster optimism, inject greater confidence into the development of bilateral relations, and jointly build a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada.

Anand said the new Canadian government attaches great importance to relations with China. She also added that Prime Minister Carney looks forward to engaging in in-depth exchanges with Chinese leaders during the visit to set the course for the development of bilateral relations, resume dialogue in various fields, pursue more mutually beneficial outcomes, enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, and further advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

China ready to work for steady, sound ties with Canada: FM