12 November 2008
Luanda — Angolan Government Wednesday in Luanda announced the re-founding of the state-owned airline, TAAG-EP, and designing of plans for a new and financially sustainable company, based on a top quality passengers service.
To this end, a TAAG-EP re-founding commission will be appointed soon to design a new strategy and business architecture, with a new personnel board, new management model and image.
The committee will be tasked with choosing a strategic partner for TAAG-EP and revising the status of state-run airlines that operate in Angola.
Speaking to the press at the end of the session of the Cabinet Council, the Transport minister, Augusto da Silva Tomás, said the programme includes the company's certification, routes networking, incrementing of flight frequency, reshaping of regional plan, increment of revenues, reduction of costs and gradual shedding of personnel.
According to the minister, the country needs a new and strong company with a design among Africa's best, thus decisively contributing to the development and affirmation of Angola in the region.
TAAG-EP lost about Usd 70 million in the last 14 months and stands 122nd in the ranking of the world's 124 airlines. In July 2007, the European Commission included the company on the list of airlines banned from flying in the European space.
The commission that will be jointly appointed by the ministries of Finance, Economy and Transports, is also expected to secure the company's continued operation, design and implement a credible schedule to rescue TAAG-EP from the European Union black list the earliest.
In its extraordinary session, the Cabinet Council recommended the reinforcement of the National Institute of Civil Aviation (Inavic) with experienced personnel and setting up of an emergency plan, coordinated by the technical commission for the restructuring of the air transport sector.
The Government has also recommended the hiring of foreign specialists to support the process of certification of the operators and maintaining of regular contacts with counterpart institutions.
Meanwhile, the Government has cancelled the functions of TAAG-EP managing board and recommended the nomination of a management commission and a steering committee under the Ministry of Transports that will operate for one year.
The Cabinet Council meeting, chaired by the head of State, was intended to analyse the state of organisation and functioning of TAAG-EP and Inavic, thus completing the works of its 3rd extraordinary session held on Monday.
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