The Angolan Government is calling for the liberalisation of African airspace, arguing that the fragmentation of the market continues to penalise passengers and airlines. The statements were made by the country’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo Viegas d’Abreu, on the sidelines of the closing of the 57th General Assembly of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), held in Luanda, with 516 delegates from 49 countries.
The minister stressed, within the framework of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), that opening the airspace is an “economic, operational and geopolitical imperative”, reiterating Angola’s commitment to its “progressive and responsible” implementation, accompanied by alignment between regulators, operators and infrastructure.
He also highlighted that the current configuration of the market results in routes that are “complex, expensive and with limited supply”.
Ricardo Viegas d’Abreu also pointed to the need to transform the business model of African airlines, emphasising that the pressure on the industry no longer allows inaction.
“External conditions — fuel, costs, regulatory and tax pressures — can no longer justify immobility,” he said, advocating for more efficient fleet management, financial discipline and a consistent strategic vision from operators across the continent.
The minister also highlighted the new Dr António Agostinho Neto International Airport as a key asset in Angola’s civil aviation strategy, stating that the infrastructure will “enhance operational performance, increase capacity and position Luanda as a strategic hub between Africa, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia”.
He added that the transformation of Angola’s aviation sector also relies on the modernisation of TAAG, fleet renewal and institutional strengthening.
“We continue to implement measures aligned with the principle of open skies, ensuring predictability, legal certainty and transparency,” he said.
The agreement, he stressed, “is not symbolic”, but rather “a public policy and business instrument that improves efficiency, increases passenger options and positions Angola as a continental connection platform”.
The interdependence of aviation with other economic sectors — from tourism to trade, industry and regional mobility — was also highlighted, with the minister defending an integrated approach to achieving results.
He reinforced the importance of facilitating mobility and reducing barriers, noting that “without passengers, there is no market; without mobility, there is no economic integration”.
Another concern raised was the need for the industry to respond to the real characteristics of the African market, especially in West Africa, avoiding the importation of unsuitable models.
According to Ricardo Viegas d’Abreu, Angola is aligned with a path of “transformation, rigour and strategic ambition”, promising continued investment in human capital, technical capacity, process modernisation and regulatory strengthening.
Source: Lusa
