Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Angola's TAAG opens flights to Havana, Cape Town

Relax News
Monday 09 November 2009 20:00 EST
Comments
(wiw)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Angola's national carrier, banned from flying within the EU, has begun direct flights to Cape Town and plans a new service to Havana, state media said Tuesday.

"From December TAAG will start direct flights to Havana, capital of Cuba," national radio said, adding that the Cape Town route was already operating.

TAAG, which is banned from flying within the European Union except to Lisbon because of safety concerns, on Monday made the first of its two flights a week to the South African city on a Boeing 737.

"We are optimistic that we will be sending full flights from Luanda to Cape Town and have full flights from Cape Town to Luanda," TAAG spokesman Rui Carreira said.

"It is an important tourist destination in South Africa and many oil company employees who work in Angola use Cape Town as a hub to get back to their country of origin."

The Cape Town link will also offer a new travel options to fans travelling to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in January.

The route to Havana will help transport the thousands of Cuban teachers and doctors who are currently working in the southern African country.

However the new flights come as TAAG reduces its flight frequency to Lisbon, its only European destination.

According to newspaper and radio announcements, the airline will now run just one daily flight to the Portuguese capital during November, not two as before, for unspecified "operational reasons".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in