Air Angola: Safety First?

Angola's state-owned airline, TAAG Angola Airlines, has had a number of safety incidents in recent years. The airline was banned from European airspace in 2007 due to safety concerns, and while the ban was lifted in 2019, there have been several reported incidents since then. These include technical problems, hydraulic leaks, bird strikes, loss of cabin pressure, and engine shutdowns. Angola itself has a high crime rate, with violent crimes such as armed robbery and carjacking being common. There is also a risk of civil unrest and a high threat of terrorist attacks, which could happen anywhere and at any time. The UK government advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country.

Air safety incidents involving TAAG Angola Airlines

TAAG Angola Airlines has been involved in several air safety incidents over the years. Here is a detailed overview of some notable incidents:

Recent Incidents:

• On October 12, 2023, a TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 737-700 experienced a hydraulic leak while operating flight DT-579 from Luanda, Angola, to Cape Town, South Africa.
• On July 3, 2022, a technical problem occurred on a TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration D2-TBJ, en route from Luanda to Johannesburg, South Africa, carrying 114 passengers.
• On February 9, 2022, a TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration D2-TBJ, rejected takeoff from Maputo, Mozambique, to Luanda due to a bee in the pitot tube.
• On January 6, 2019, a TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 777-300, registration D2-TEH, encountered a bird strike while operating flight DT-747 from Luanda to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
• On November 11, 2018, a TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration D2-TBK, suffered a loss of cabin pressure while operating flight DT-453 from Luanda to Namibe, Angola, with 74 passengers and 6 crew members.
• On January 13, 2018, a TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration D2-TBK, experienced an in-flight engine shutdown while operating flight DT-461 from Luanda to Lubango, Angola, with 75 passengers.

Historical Incidents:

• On June 8, 1980, a TAAG Angola Airlines Yakovlev Yak-40K, registration D2-TYC, was shot down by a MiG-19 near Matala, Angola, resulting in 19 reported fatalities.
• On May 16, 1981, a Lockheed L-100-20 Hercules, registration D2-EAS, operating a freighter service, was shot down by a missile on its approach to Menongue Airport, resulting in the deaths of all four crew members.
• On November 29, 1982, an Antonov 26, registration D2-TAB, operating a non-scheduled passenger service, crashed into mountainous terrain, killing all 15 occupants.
• On April 14, 1997, a Fokker F-27-600, registration D2-TFP, operating a cargo flight from Brazzaville to Luanda, experienced a crash during takeoff, resulting in three reported fatalities.
• On June 28, 2007, a TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 737-200 crashed in northern Angola while attempting to land at M'banza-Kongo. The accident resulted in at least five fatalities and 66 injuries.

The UK Air Safety List

As of November 21, 2023, the following airlines certified by the authorities with responsibility for regulatory oversight of Angola are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the United Kingdom:

• All airlines certified by Angola, except:
• Taag-Linhas Aereas De Angola, S.A. dba Taag- Angola Airlines
• Heli Malongo Aviacao e Servicos De Angola, LDA dba Heli-Malongo

TAAG Angola Airlines has had several reported air safety incidents in recent years. Here are some examples:

• On October 12, 2023, a TAAG B737 at Cape Town experienced a hydraulic leak.
• On July 3, 2022, a TAAG B737 en route experienced a technical problem.
• On February 9, 2022, a TAAG B737 at Maputo rejected takeoff due to a bee in the pitot tube.
• On January 6, 2019, a TAAG B773 at Sao Paulo suffered a bird strike.
• On November 11, 2018, a TAAG B737 near Luanda experienced a loss of cabin pressure.
• On January 13, 2018, a TAAG B737 near Luanda had an engine shut down in flight.
• On January 12, 2018, a TAAG B773 at Lisbon had a tyre tread separate on landing.
• On April 30, 2017, a TAAG B737 at Soyo had its nose gear retracted after landing.
• On May 14, 2017, a TAAG B737 at Catumbela encountered a flock of birds.
• On October 1, 2016, a TAAG B773 at Porto and Lisbon departed with a ground worker trapped in the cargo hold.
• On January 19, 2015, a TAAG B773 over Morocco experienced severe turbulence that injured a passenger.
• On January 15, 2015, a TAAG B737 at Luena buried its nose gear in the runway.
• On November 15, 2014, a TAAG B773 over the Atlantic experienced an engine shut down in flight.

Passengers are advised to check the UK Air Safety List before booking flights and to be aware of their rights in the event of flight cancellations or disruptions caused by banned airlines.

Terrorist attacks

Angola has enjoyed relative peace and stability since 2002, after gaining independence from Portugal in 1975 and experiencing a 27-year-long civil war. While there is no recent history of terrorism in the country, the UK government advises that attacks cannot be ruled out. The main threat of terrorism in Angola comes from a separatist movement in the oil-rich northern province of Cabinda, where the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) is the only active group that has carried out terrorist attacks in the country.

FLEC has waged a low-level guerrilla movement since the 1960s, first against Portugal and then against Angola. When Portugal granted Angola independence in 1975, FLEC proclaimed Cabinda's independence from Angola and established its own provisional government for the province. However, Angolan troops were able to reclaim control, leading to FLEC fracturing into several factions. FLEC has continued to launch attacks, primarily targeting military and foreign personnel within Angola. Their most high-profile attack was in January 2010 when they attacked a bus carrying the Togolese national soccer team, killing three and wounding nine. Although FLEC has offered to negotiate with the Angolan government, their offers have been rejected, and FLEC has continued to claim small-scale attacks in recent years.

In addition to FLEC, there have been reports of Islamic extremists operating in the country. In March 2017, Kassim Tajideen, a prominent Hezbollah financier and U.S.-designated terrorist, was arrested on an INTERPOL warrant and extradited to the United States. Tajideen had been living in Angola since 1990, operating a business empire that contributed tens of millions of dollars to Hezbollah. Another Hezbollah financier, Hatem Barakat, was reported to be working at a store in Luanda as of 2017. However, there have been no reports of Islamic-inspired extremist activity in Angola, and the country has remained free of extremist activity from regional Islamist threats such as Boko Haram, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and al-Shabab.

To combat the threat of terrorism, Angola has adopted legal and administrative measures, including a National Anti-Terrorism Observatory and anti-money-laundering/counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) legislation that complies with United Nations-backed international regulations. The country also cooperates with various multilateral international organizations to exchange information and prevent terrorism at both the regional and global levels.

Civil unrest and violent crime

Angola has a history of civil unrest, with the Angolan Civil War taking place from 1974-1975. The conflict emerged as a result of the impending independence of Angola from Portugal, which led to three revolutionary groups vying for power. The war grew into a Cold War competition, with the US and the Soviet Union providing military assistance to their preferred clients. Despite the official end of the war in 1976, Jonas Savimbi and his group, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), continued an insurgency until his death in 2002.

In recent years, Angola has experienced an increase in crime rates, with various types of crimes running rampant in the country. While much of the crime occurs between Angolans, foreigners have also been targeted. Violent crimes such as rape, robbery, and murder have been committed against tourists in the northern province of Cabinda. Additionally, kidnappings and carjackings are also a possibility. Luanda, the capital city, is one of the areas most affected by crime, with street crime and petty offenses such as pickpocketing and theft from vehicles and homes being frequent occurrences. These incidents can turn violent when perpetrated by armed criminals, and women are advised against travelling alone at night.

The police response to crimes in Angola may be untimely, and it is recommended to contact the Rapid Intervention Police (PIR) unit for more serious incidents. Travellers are also advised to take precautions when travelling outside of Luanda, such as bringing an experienced individual or travelling in a group.

Additionally, travellers should be cautious at Luanda Airport, as personnel have been known to commit fraud and search through baggage. There have also been reports of immigration and customs officials detaining travellers and demanding bribes.

Poor air quality

Angola's air quality is poor, with the country ranking as the second most polluted country in the world in 2023. The 2023 average PM2.5 concentration in Angola was 1.6 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value.

In July 2021, an Angolan diamond mine leaked large amounts of polluted water into the Kasai River Basin, which stretches across Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The leak is believed to have killed much of the aquatic life in the Lova, Tshikapa, and Kasai rivers, and is known to have caused 12 deaths and affected the lives of an estimated 1 million people.

In addition to poor air quality, Angola also has a high crime rate, including violent crimes such as armed robbery and carjacking. There is also a risk of civil unrest and kidnapping, particularly in Luanda, where criminals have targeted foreigners for kidnapping.

The country also has limited medical facilities, with medical evacuation to another country often being necessary for serious illnesses or injuries.

Frequently asked questions