TAAG Angola Airlines has launched direct flights between Luanda and Nairobi with the inaugural flight landing on Monday, September 1.
In a statement, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said the new service will operate three times a week using the Airbus A220-300.
KAA welcomed the development, noting its importance for regional integration and global connections.
"Today, TAAG Angola Airlines inaugurated its Luanda–Nairobi route, launching 3 weekly flights on the modern Airbus A220-300. This milestone strengthens direct connectivity between Southern & Eastern Africa and expands TAAG’s growing network," the statement read.
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The authority added that the flights will deliver benefits beyond tourism and air travel.
"The new Luanda–Nairobi service will broaden travel options, boost bilateral trade, and reinforce diplomatic and economic ties between Angola & East Africa. Nairobi’s hub status also opens smoother connections to Asia & Europe," the statement added.
On his part, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei haield the route as an opportunity to unlock greater collaboration between the two nations.
"A great milestone in Kenya-Angola relationship and connectivity! Now to more trade and tourism," he remarked.
This comes three months after Kenya Airways announced a new international route following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatar Airways.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 1, the national carrier announced that Qatar Airways will introduce a third daily flight between Doha and Nairobi, operated in codeshare with Kenya Airways.
At the same time, a new route between Mombasa and Doha will be launched during the upcoming winter season, operated by Kenya Airways and marketed by Qatar Airways.
In the MoU signed in Doha by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer and Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka, the two airlines have also committed to expanding their cooperation across their respective networks to offer passengers a broader range of travel options.
“This partnership is yet another demonstration of our deepening ties with the African region. Today’s agreement, which comes as we celebrate 20 years of flying to Kenya, is coupled with our recognisable record of partnerships across the continent, most recently through our investment in Airlink.
"Our growing collaboration with our African counterparts ensures that Qatar Airways continues to contribute to the continent’s rapidly evolving aviation and economic ecosystem," Al-Meer said.
Kilavuka noted that the partnership aligns with the airline’s broader recovery and expansion strategy.
“This partnership perfectly aligns with our airline’s robust turnaround strategy, which saw Kenya Airways’ return to profit for the first time in more than a decade earlier this year.
"The collaboration will also help expedite Kenya Airways’ efforts to boost tourism and air cargo activities, turning these and others into pivotal economic growth propellers for Kenya and the East Africa region," he stated.
Beyond passenger services, the two airlines plan to explore joint efforts in cargo operations, ground handling, airport services, maintenance, procurement, and loyalty programmes.
