Angola’s Head of State, H.E. President João Lourenço, has announced that the inauguration of Luanda’s new Dr. António Agostinho International Airport – named for the country’s first president – will take place by December 2023.
Speaking during a site visit this week, H.E. President Lourenço acknowledged significant advancements made towards the infrastructure, emphasizing the impact that a new international airport will have on Angola’s aviation sector and overall socioeconomic development.
“I can confirm that there has been progress and we maintain the date for its inauguration,” the President stated, adding, “the work is underway, and, in due time, we will have good news.”
With a total cost estimated at approximately $3.8 billion, the airport will be situated roughly 45km from Angola’s capital city of Luanda in the Bom Jesus commune. The airport will be sized to receive Boeing-747 and Airbus A380 aircraft, boasting a total area of 50km2, and is expected to receive up to 15 million passengers and 50,000 tons of goods per year.
Construction of the infrastructure project is being undertaken by China’s state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China and will include a passenger terminal building with 12 aircraft finger-docks, a 4,200m northern runway and 3,800m southern runway, as well as complimentary structures including a hotel, shops and services, hangars, restaurants, and offices.
Poised to foster greater tourism and business opportunities, the project is indicative of the Angolan Government’s commitment towards modernizing its infrastructure and promoting economic diversification.
