TAAG Angola Airlines becomes the latest African airline to enter an Airbus A220 aircraft into service with its fleet.
Angola’s national carrier, TAAG Angola Airlines, has taken delivery of its first A220, an A220-300 from the Airbus Mirabel site, in Canada.
Several African airlines already operate the Airbus A220 as part of their fleets
These include Air Senegal, Air Tanzania, EgyptAir and Air Austral amongst others. Air Tanzania was the first airline to add the A220 to its fleet.
AIRBUS A220 AIRCRAFT FOR TAAG
The aircraft is on lease from Air Lease Corporation (ALC).
The addition of the A220 to the fleet of the state-owned airline is a further step in its modernisation and growth path, which includes a more versatile fleet.
The aircraft livery features the PALANCA (black antelope considered a national symbol) on the plane’s tail and winglets, as well the colour pattern inspired by Angola’s traditional fabric named Samakaka.
TAAG ANGOLA AIRLINES
TAAG Angola has also committed to Airbus Flight Hour Services for material management solutions and Skywise Health Monitoring.
These services enable a smooth entry-into-services thanks to a dedicated pool of parts, component engineering and repair services worldwide.
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A SOLUTION FOR AFRICA
Airbus believes that the A220 is the right-sized solution for many operators on the African continent.
The A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market. TAAG’s A220 will have a 137 passengers’ total capacity (12 in business class and 125 in economy class).
With the widest economy seats of any single-aisle aircraft, large windows, highest ceilings in its class and other innovative cabin features, the A220 will contribute to offer a superior flying experience to TAAG passengers and customers on local and regional flights.
Airbus believes that the A220 is the perfect fit for some underserved routes, and to connect in-demand city pairs.
BENEFIT OF THE AIRBUS A220 AIRCRAFT
The aircraft offers exceptional comfort, greater efficiency and an extended range.
It can fly non-stop up to 3,600 nautical miles or 6,700 kilometres, making the A220 the ideal solution to facilitate TAAG Angola Airlines’ gradual expansion.
The new aircraft is the first of 15 on order for TAAG. They will gradually replace TAAG’s fleet of 737-700s, which are used for the airline’s regional routes.
SUSTAINABILITY GAINS
The A220, a new-generation aircraft, is also part of the solution to help TAAG reach its sustainability ambitions, introducing greater efficiency with 25% lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft and around 40% lower NOx emissions than industry standards.
As with all Airbus aircraft, the A220 is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with up to 100% SAF by 2030.
AIRBUS A220 ORDERS
As of the end of August 2024, around 30 customers have ordered more than 910 A220 aircraft confirming its leading position in the small single-aisle market.
Around 355 A220s are currently flying on more than 1,500 routes and more than 460 destinations worldwide. To date, more than 100 million passengers have flown on the A220.
