Emirates and the Republic of Angola’s TAAG Announce Strategic Airline Partnership

By Wallace Mawire

Emirates and the Republic of Angola, in its capacity as the majority
shareholder of TAAG Linhas Aéreas De Angola, have announced the
signing of a Management Concession Agreement which is expected to
see Emirates take a role in the management of TAAG. It is reported
that the agreement will lay the foundation for both airlines to
jointly leverage commercial opportunities in Africa and beyond.

According to a statement released by Langmead and Baker (Ltd), the
ten year Management Concession Agreement was signed by His Highness
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive,
Emirates Airline and Group and H.E. Augusto da Silva Tomás, the
Minister of Transport for the Government of Angola.
The initiative is reported to further the Republic of Angola’s
vision to create a world class Angolan carrier with the support of
Emirates. As part of the agreement, Emirates is reported to commit to

As part of the agreement, Emirates is reported to commit to
work closely with the Angolan government and TAAG Linhas Aéreas De
Angola to formulate and implement a business plan, provide management
support and devise fleet and route network strategies, whilst bringing
synergy through the complementary networks. Emirates is also reported
not to contribute equity under the agreement but will appoint four
senior managers to work for TAAG Linhas Aéreas De Angola.

Both airlines are also expected to cooperate across a wide range of
areas including bilateral code-sharing on cargo and passenger
services, participation of customers in both airlines’ frequent flyer
programmes and passenger and cargo handling. Emirates has also
committed to allocate its resources to staff and crew training on
best-in-class business and operational processes and systems.

It is further reported that TAAG Linhas Aéreas De Angola will
additionally explore business opportunities with dnata, in particular
its passenger and cargo handling, flight catering and travel services.
dnata, part of the Emirates Group, is the largest provider of air
travel services in the Middle East and employs about 23,000 staff in
38 countries.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed said, “Through this partnership Emirates aims to
provide deeper reach and better connectivity for our passengers in
Central and Southern Africa. At the same time, we see an opportunity
for TAAG Linhas Aéreas De Angola passengers to benefit from Emirates’
global network.

We see huge potential in Africa, and are keen to continue playing an
active role in contributing to its economies. Emirates will continue
growing our presence in Africa by opening new routes, increasing
flight frequencies, and upgrading aircraft to meet the increasing
demand. Exploring mutually beneficial agreements with established
carriers such as TAAG Linhas Aéreas De Angola is another key strategy.

We believe this new partnership will build on the success that we have
seen on our Dubai-Luanda service, and also deliver operational and
business synergies for both airlines.”

H.E. Augusto da Silva Tomás, the Minister of Transport for Government
of Angola said “The signing of this agreement marks a very decisive
step towards the restructuring of TAAG. With Emirates, our new
partner and a leader in the world of civil aviation, equipped with
know-how, technology and experience, TAAG is starting a new era of
growth and progress which will also positively impact the development
of Angola.”

Angola is Africa’s second largest oil producer with a strong mining
sector, and is one of the fastest growing economies in the world,
making it an attractive business destination. Emirates’ first point in
Africa was Cairo, launched in 1986, and the airline has since grown a
strong presence on the African continent, serving 22 passenger
destinations today: Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Cairo, Cape Town,
Casablanca, Dakar, Dar el Salaam, Durban, Entebbe, Johannesburg,
Khartoum, Lagos, Luanda, Nairobi, Tripoli, Tunis, Harare, Lusaka,
Conakry, Algiers and Abuja.

It is also reported that as African economies continue to flourish
and develop, Emirates is being well placed to contribute to this
growth, by providing valuable air links that enable trade and tourism
flows. Emirates operates over 160 flights across the continent each
week, connecting African economies and markets with Dubai and beyond
to a global network of over 140 major cities.

Emirates currently flies daily to Luanda, Angola’s capitol. EK 793
leaves Dubai at 1005hrs and arrives in Luanda at 1500hrs. The return
flight, EK 794, departs Luanda at 1800hrs, touching down in Dubai
eight hours later at 0510hrs.

It is also reported that the agreement will only take effect after a
number of conditions have been satisfied, including the receipt of
various government and regulatory approvals.