LUANDA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Angola's new capital airport, Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN) completed its first incoming and outgoing passenger flights Sunday morning.
According to Angola's Ministry of Transport flight schedules, the new airport, located 40 km southeast of downtown Luanda and built by a Chinese company, saw eight round-trip flights between Luanda and Cabinda, operated by Angola Airlines (TAAG), on its first day of passenger services.
"This is a celebratory, historic day for our civil aviation and our country. We are all very pleased. What stands out to me is the joy in the eyes of all the professionals and passengers already using our new airport," Angolan Minister of Transport Ricardo D'Abreu told the press.
Angola plans to expand flight routes from the new airport to eastern provinces by early December, he said.
By March 31 of next year, all domestic and international flights from Luanda's Quatro de Fevereiro Airport will be transferred to the AIAAN, which has already been assigned the International Air Transport Association code, "NBJ."
The AIAAN was built by China National Aero-technology International Engineering Corporation and is designed to handle 15 million passengers and 130,000 tons of airmail per year. The airport aims to become a key aviation hub in southern Africa.
In an interview with Xinhua, D'Abreu said: "China represents a significant partner for Angola, allowing us to develop important infrastructure in our country, including Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto International Airport."
He added that starting early next year, the new airport will fall under the newly established Icolo e Bengo Province, and Angola will begin developing an "airport city" around the area to drive economic growth and create new business and investment opportunities in the airport region.
Nelson Oliveira, TAAG chief executive officer and one of the first passengers on the inaugural flights, said TAAG is pleased to consider the new airport its new "home."
"We will gradually move all our staff and equipment to operate exclusively at the new airport," he said.
Oliveira praised the new airport built by the Chinese firm, describing it as "modern and advanced."
"This will enable greater development and improved service. Here, we can serve our passengers much better, allowing us to attract more customers and thus offer a higher-quality service," he said. ■
