Emirates boosts African growth with Angolan Airline link-up

Dubai carrier aiming for "deeper reach and better connectivity for our passengers in Central and South Africa".

Emirates, the world's biggest airline by international traffic, forged a 10-year management accord with Angola's national airline that will allow the Arabian Gulf carrier to expand in Africa.

Emirates will work with TAAG Angola Airlines and the government to create a business plan and devise strategies for the carrier’s fleet and network, it said in an emailed statement. The carrier will appoint four senior managers to work for TAAG and won’t contribute equity in the deal, it said.

“Emirates aims to provide deeper reach and better connectivity for our passengers in Central and South Africa,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates. TAAG passengers will “benefit from Emirates’ global network”.

Emirates hasn't joined global airline alliances or invested in equity partnerships apart from a former deal with SriLankan Airlines and a current alliance with Qantas Airways. That contrasts with rivals Qatar Airways, which joined the Oneworld alliance last year, and Etihad Airways, with eight equity partnerships.

Emirates has more than 160 flights a week to Africa, including daily service to Luanda, Angola’s capital. The airline sees “huge potential” in Africa and will continue to expand there by opening new routes, upgrading aircraft and exploring agreements with established carriers, Sheikh Ahmed said.

The agreement includes code-sharing on cargo and passenger services and coordination of frequent flyer programmes, Emirates said. The airline will provide staff training to TAAG, and the Angolan carrier will explore business opportunities with Dnata, the travel services arm of Emirates. The agreement is subject to several conditions including regulatory approvals.

“TAAG is starting a new era of growth and progress which will also positively impact the development of Angola,” transport minister Augusto da Silva Tomas said in the statement. The country is Africa’s second-largest oil producer.

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