Africa-Press – Angola. The start of operations at Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport and its related services will contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth.
This position was defended by the president of the Chamber of Dispatchers of the 4th Tax Region, Inácio Mourão.
Reacting to the inauguration of that infrastructure, next Friday (10.11.23), Inácio Mourão said, however, that these advantages will depend on the strategy that the Angolan State will adopt in order to make it profitable.
“It is important to divert the flow of passengers and goods to the new Luanda International Airport, in order to take advantage of the investment made”, he stated.
According to him, in terms of image, the Airport is the country’s gateway, but it is necessary for investments to be reflected across the entire length of the country.
“Businesspeople, tourists, students, etc., do not stay at the Airport, they need accommodation, transport, food and other services, and often in other parts of the country”, he said.
In the same vein, he mentioned that, hence the need for well-treated tourist areas, basic sanitation and other services so that they leave a good impression and want to return another time.
Inácio Mourão also defended the importance of having competitive prices for services, so that the Airport can be a regional and international platform, like that of Johannesburg, in South Africa, and that of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, under penalty of not having membership expected.
In turn, the President of the Board of Directors of the Port of Lobito, Celso Rosas, considered that this infrastructure will facilitate connections with various destinations in Southern Africa SADC and beyond.
“At the moment, there are still inter-African air routes that need to stop in some European countries to be connected to each other, which could happen here”, he emphasized.
Celso Rosas stated that this infrastructure will be one of the largest markets in Angola, from which a series of commercial activities and other services will be developed.
“It is a good opportunity for the Angolan business community and also to provide employment for youth”, assumed the PCA.
Celso Rosas is of the opinion that Angola wants to place itself in the context of the Nations as a country of reference, with strong and solid infrastructures.
He took the opportunity to appeal to the population so that everyone does their best to maintain and conserve that public asset, so that it lasts.
However, businessman Luis Borges believes that it is still necessary to decongest Luanda, when it comes to air travel, especially outside the country.
The businessman advocated moving forward with the certification of Catumbela and Lubango International Airports, to serve the central and southern regions, similar to what happens in Portugal, where Lisbon, Porto and Algarve airports operate.
“In the case of Angola, Catumbela and Lubango Airports would also share and serve the north, center and south regions of the country”, he argued.
Luanda International Airport, Dr António Agostinho Neto, is located in the commune of Bom Jesus, in Luanda, spread over an area of one thousand, 324 hectares and its construction cost the State coffers 1.4 billion dollars.
It has two double runways, four thousand meters long and 60 meters wide.
In terms of capacity, it is projected to handle 15 million passengers and 50 thousand tons of merchandise per year.
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