TAAG Angola Airlines announced its inaugural flight to Ghana at an invitation only event held for industry stakeholders at the Labadi Beach Hotel on December 1, 2022.
“We believe this backs the strengthening of a long-standing partnership between Angola and Ghana,” said Ransom Brown, Business Develpment Manager, APG Ghana & South-West Africa. The goal of receiving more travellers will be met with this new initiative that will encourage travel and business between Ghana and Angola.
“This is quite historic,” said Diane Chung, Regional Manager, TAAG Angola Airlines Africa. “Ghana represents the very first new route that TAAG has devoted to in Africa for several years.” She noted they did fly to Ghana a long time ago, but this is a new historic time as this regular route has been added to TAAG Angola’s flight schedule. The airline flies to several cities in Europe, opening up the opportunity to fly from Africa with them as well as domestically on the continent. “We wanted to fly to Accra because of the potential that we see here,” she said.
H.E. Mavis Esi Kusorgbor, Ghana’s Ambassador to Angola said that it was most gratifying for her to witness this historic day. “The commencement of the direct flight to Ghana constitutes a significant milestone in our bilateral relations,” said H.E. Kusorgbor. She commended the success of the inaugural flight to Ghana and noted that despite long relations with Angola, there is still much work to do in building the bonds between our countries. Which makes this newly launched flight much more important in helping build trade, investments, economic promotions and tourism.
Ghana’s Beyond the Return initiative is committed to connecting with the global African diaspora community and with continental Africans. The direct flight bridges the gap between Ghana and Angola and opens the doors to building connections with the people of Angola.
“You could not have chosen a better time than this,” Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Captain Budu Koomson said. “This vision of Ghana Airports Company Limited, is to see Ghana as the preferred destination hub and leader in airport business in West Africa. The entry of TAAP Angola Airlines will provide travellers with a nonstop service between Luanda and Accra, thereby reducing the long travel times experienced by travellers.” He said this new route opens up options for travel in the sub-region and into international destinations.
Stakeholders in attendance included Trade Attache, Embassy of Angola in Ghana, Rui Livramento, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority’s Deputy Director, Juliet Okae, President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana, Alisa Osei Asamoah, Director of Project Development, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ben Anane-Nsiah, Director of the Beyond the Return Secretariat, Annabelle McKenzie and tour operators and hospitality stakeholders.
The airline will operate flights three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. TAPP Airlines is based in Luanda and currently operates domestic services in Angola. They also offer flights within Africa, Brazil, Cuba and Portugal.
