Flag carrier TAAG Angola Airlines has finalised an order with Boeing for an additional three 777-300ER aircraft and purchase rights for a further three aircraft in a deal valued at $895 million at list price.
"As we prepare our airline to meet increased demand for travel to and from Angola, adding three more Boeing 777-300ERs to our current fleet of five 777s will keep us well positioned as one of Africa's leading airlines," says TAAG chairman Dr. Antonio Luis Pimentel Araujo.
The carrier plans to use the new three-class 293-seat 777-300ERs to expand frequencies connecting Luanda to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil, Lisbon and Oporto in Portugal and additional European destinations.
TAAG's current 777 fleet consists of three 777-200ER and two 777-300ER aircraft. The 777s currently operate on flights to Lisbon, Beijing, Dubai, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The order also helps the 777 order book this January. Since 1 January, Boeing had announced only an order cancellation for two aircraft. The TAAG order returns the 777 programme into positive ground so far in 2012, following a record order year in 2011.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
