The Diplomat
Spain and Angola are connected again since yesterday by direct flights between Madrid and Luanda, a move that is expected to strengthen political and economic relations between the two countries.
The first of the flights, operated by the Angolan state airline TAAG, in code-sharing with Iberia, arrived yesterday in Madrid, coming from Luanda, thus recovering the direct connection between the two capitals that had been suspended in 2016, after five years of operation.
On board the plane, a Boeing 777-300 with capacity for 293 passengers, were also TAAG executives, the Spanish ambassador to Angola, Manuel Lejarreta, and a group of Angolan journalists.
From now on, flights from the Angolan capital to Madrid, with a duration of just over seven hours, will depart on Sundays and Thursdays, while connections between the Spanish capital and Luanda will be on Mondays and Fridays.
The agreement between the two airlines was signed last May, with the support of the governments of the two countries, which consider that the resumption of direct Madrid-Luanda flights opens up numerous possibilities not only for increasing bilateral relations, but also for attracting travellers from America and other parts of Africa.
With regard to bilateral relations, which last year saw an exchange of visits by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to Luanda, and the President of Angola, João Lourenço, to Madrid, there is confidence that they will experience growth from an economic point of view, as connections become easier for potential Spanish investors in Angolan projects in industry, trade, agriculture, tourism, construction, oil and gas, technology and other areas.
Direct flights between the two capitals were in operation between 2011 and 2016, but were suspended due to lack of demand. Now, the agreement between TAAG and Iberia is expected to make it easier for travellers from the United States and other parts of the Americas, with which the Spanish airline has good connections, to travel from Madrid to Angola and other African countries, both for business and tourism purposes. Similarly, the aim is to attract travellers from both Angola and South African countries, who will have multiple connection possibilities with the American continent and Europe, through Iberia.
Yesterday, after the arrival of the flight from Luanda, there was a ceremony at the airport, followed by the official inauguration ceremony in a Madrid hotel, attended by the Spanish ambassador in Luanda, the Angolan ambassador in Madrid, José Luis de Matos Agostinho, and businessmen and representatives of various Spanish ministries.
