Taag Angola's European Ban: What Went Wrong?

TAAG Angola Airlines was banned from flying in European airspace due to safety concerns and poor management. The airline was placed on the European Union's Air Safety List in 2007, which prevented it from operating within the EU. However, in 2019, TAAG was removed from the blacklist and regained unrestricted access to European airspace. The ban was lifted due to the unanimous opinion of aviation safety experts from EU member states, who determined that the airline had addressed the safety concerns. During the ban, TAAG was permitted to fly to some European destinations under restricted conditions, but it incurred significant financial losses due to the limitations on its operations.

TAAG Angola Airlines was banned from European airspace due to safety concerns

The safety concerns were serious enough for the EU to impose a complete ban on TAAG Angola Airlines, restricting their access to the European market. This ban had significant financial implications for the airline, causing losses of up to US$70 million in 14 months, according to the Transport Minister, Augusto da Silva Tomás. To mitigate these losses, TAAG wet-leased a Boeing 747-400 from South African Airways to continue operating flights to Europe.

In 2008, TAAG was permitted to resume flights to Portugal under restricted conditions, using only new planes. This partial lift on the ban was a result of a bilateral deal between the authorities in Lisbon and Luanda. However, the ban on TAAG's operations in other parts of the EU remained in place.

In 2019, TAAG Angola Airlines was finally removed from the EU Air Safety List, allowing them unrestricted access to European Union airspace. This decision was made based on the unanimous opinion of aviation safety experts from member states who met within the EU Air Safety Committee. TAAG's removal from the blacklist was a significant development, as it marked the first time in over a decade that the airline could fly without restrictions in European airspace.

It is worth noting that while TAAG has faced safety concerns in the past, they have taken steps to address these issues. In 2019, the company complied with all IATA's Operational Safety Audit requirements (IOSA), an internationally recognized evaluation system for air companies' operations. Additionally, TAAG has invested in modern aircraft, such as the Boeing B737-700, B777-200, and B777-300, which have contributed to enhancing its safety standards.

The ban was lifted in 2019, allowing TAAG to fly to all EU countries

TAAG Angola Airlines, the flag carrier airline of Angola, was banned from flying to EU countries in 2007 due to safety concerns. However, in 2019, the airline was recertified, and the ban was completely lifted, allowing TAAG to resume flights to all EU destinations. This was a significant development for the airline, which had been struggling due to safety issues and poor management, recording losses of US$99 million in 2015.

The European Aviation Safety Agency's decision to lift the ban was based on TAAG's compliance with safety standards and its new fleet of aircraft, including the Boeing B737-700, B777-200, and B777-300. This approval provided a much-needed boost for TAAG, enabling them to expand their reach and improve their financial situation.

It is worth noting that TAAG has a long history in the aviation industry, dating back to its establishment in 1938 as DTA – Divisão dos Transportes Aéreos. The airline has undergone several name changes and reorganisations, becoming TAAG Angola Airlines in 1973 and gaining official flag carrier status in 1975.

Despite the challenges posed by the EU ban, TAAG worked towards improving its safety standards and passed IATA safety inspections in 2009. The partial lift of the ban in the same year allowed TAAG to resume flights to Portugal, and by 2010, they were permitted to fly to all European airports using specific aircraft models.

The complete lifting of the ban in 2019 marked a turning point for TAAG, allowing them to fully utilise their fleet and expand their operations across Europe. This development not only improved TAAG's financial prospects but also increased competition on European routes, potentially driving down the cost of flying to Angola.

TAAG was only permitted to fly to Portugal from 2008 to 2009

TAAG Angola Airlines, the flag carrier of Angola, was banned from flying within the European Union in 2007 due to safety concerns. In 2008, the entire TAAG board was replaced with a new one, with the objective of getting the airline removed from the EU blacklist. In May 2009, TAAG passed IATA inspections, and in July of the same year, it was granted permission to operate flights to Europe under restricted conditions. Specifically, TAAG was only permitted to fly to Portugal and only using its three Boeing 777s. This partial lift of the ban made TAAG the sole Angolan airline allowed to operate in the EU.

The restriction on TAAG's operations was further relaxed in November 2009 when the European Commission extended the permission to the airline's four Boeing 737-700s. In late March 2010, TAAG was allowed to fly its Boeing 777-200ERs and 737-700s to all European airports. In April 2012, the ban was partially lifted, but some aircraft were still barred from flying in European airspace. An updated version of the list of banned airlines in the EU, released in early December 2012, still included part of TAAG's fleet. However, five Boeing 777s and four Boeing 737-700s were permitted to operate within the EU.

In April 2019, the ban was completely lifted, allowing TAAG to fly all of its aircraft to any EU country. This was a boost for TAAG, which had been struggling due to safety concerns and poor management. The lifting of the ban meant that TAAG could expand its operations in Europe and boost its profitability.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused Angola to be banned from European airspace in 2023

Angola was banned from European airspace in 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Angola Airlines, or TAAG, was prohibited from flying to Portugal and all other countries in the European Schengen Area. This decision was made by the European Union in response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Angola. The ban was not solely directed at Angola, as only 11 countries worldwide with controlled COVID-19 infections were permitted to operate in the specified EU airspace.

TAAG's restriction from European airspace was not the first time the airline had faced such limitations. From 2007 to 2019, TAAG was included on the EU Air Safety List, which details airlines from non-EU countries that do not meet the required international safety standards. During this period, TAAG was banned from flying within the EU due to safety concerns. In 2019, the airline was finally removed from the EU Air Safety List, having addressed the safety issues, and was granted unrestricted access to European Union airspace.

The COVID-19-related ban on Angolan airlines in 2023 came at a time when Angola was experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. In a 24-hour period, the country detected 24 new positive cases, the highest daily increase since the pandemic reached Angola in March of that year. This brought the total number of infections to 315, with 231 locally transmitted cases, 35 imported cases, and 17 of unknown origin. Unfortunately, two deaths were also reported within the same 24-hour period, bringing the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in Angola to 17 at the time.

The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on Angola's aviation industry was significant, with TAAG facing restrictions on its operations in European airspace. However, it is important to note that TAAG had previously faced and overcome challenges related to safety standards, regaining unrestricted access to the EU in 2019.

TAAG is a state-owned airline and flag carrier of Angola

TAAG Angola Airlines is a state-owned airline and the flag carrier of Angola. The airline was set up by the Angolan government in 1938 as DTA – Divisão dos Transportes Aéreos ('Air Transport Division'). It began operations in July 1940, flying two De Havilland DH.98 'Dragon Rapide' biplanes on domestic routes and from the capital, Luanda, to Pointe Noire in the Republic of the Congo.

In 1973, the airline was reorganised and renamed TAAG – Transportes Aéreos de Angola (Angolan Air Transport). The Angolan government became a majority shareholder (51%), with the remaining shares held by TAP Air Portugal (29%) and ex-DTA employees (20%).

In 1975, following Angola's independence from Portugal, TAAG became the country's flag carrier. It received its first Boeing 737-200, entering the jet age. The airline expanded its fleet throughout the 1970s, adding jet-powered designs such as the Yakovlev Yak-40 and the Boeing 707. By the 1980s, TAAG served European destinations, including Lisbon, Moscow, Paris, and Rome, as well as Cuba using the Ilyushin Il-62.

TAAG has undergone various restructurings and updates to its fleet over the years. In the early 2000s, it replaced older aircraft with Boeing 777-200ERs and 737-700s. However, it faced a significant challenge with a European Union (EU) flight ban from 2007 to 2008 and a partial ban until 2019. During the ban, TAAG was restricted to serving Portugal in Europe with its 777s.

The EU ban was due to safety concerns and was lifted in April 2019, restoring TAAG's access to European airspace. TAAG has taken steps to improve its operations, including a management deal with Emirates in 2014 to enhance profitability and customer service. As of 2023, TAAG serves 31 destinations worldwide, including domestic, African, Latin American, European, and Middle Eastern routes.

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