The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has welcomed the inaugural direct flight by TAAG Angola Airlines from Luanda to Nairobi, describing it as a significant milestone that will boost trade, tourism, and connectivity between Kenya and Angola while reinforcing Nairobi’s position as a regional aviation hub.
The flight, which will now operate thrice a week, was officially received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by industry stakeholders. KATA was represented by CEO Nicanor Sabula and Board Member Said Tahir, who led the travel agents’ community in marking the launch of the new route. Operated by an Airbus A220-300 aircraft with a capacity of 137 passengers, the service will run every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Speaking at the event, KATA CEO Nicanor Sabula hailed the development as a turning point for African aviation. He noted that the Luanda–Nairobi route will make Africa “smaller, more connected, and more competitive,” further strengthening Kenya’s role as a hub for business and leisure travel while opening new opportunities for Angola in both tourism and trade.
His sentiments were echoed by other stakeholders present. Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Acting CEO, Allan Njoroge, highlighted the importance of the African market, which contributed 41 percent of Kenya’s total arrivals in 2024, representing 975,883 visitors. He emphasized that the new flight offers great potential for increasing arrivals from Southern Africa, adding that KTB has made a strategic focus on targeting African markets to grow Kenya’s tourism numbers.
Kenya’s Ambassador to Angola, Joyce M’Maitsi, also urged both Kenyans and Angolans to take full advantage of the new connectivity. She described the thrice-weekly flights as an opportunity to expand trade and tourism links and extended a warm welcome to Angolan travelers to experience Magical Kenya.
In recent years, arrivals from Angola to Kenya have grown steadily, with figures increasing by more than 300 percent in the past four years. The direct service is expected to accelerate this growth by offering seamless connectivity for leisure, cultural, and business travelers. For KATA members, the new route provides additional opportunities to serve clients while promoting intra-African tourism and expanding the reach of Kenya’s travel industry.
The launch of TAAG Angola Airlines’ Luanda–Nairobi service adds to the growing number of carriers selecting Nairobi as a gateway to the continent. For KATA, the development is not only a boost to regional connectivity but also a reaffirmation of the association’s commitment to advancing partnerships that strengthen Africa’s aviation network and unlock new opportunities for trade and tourism.