Luanda — Angolan Airlines "TAAG" received Saturday the last Dash 8-400 aircraft of the set of six bought by the government from the Canadian manufacturer "De Havilland Aircraft of Canada".

The six aircrafts were acquired in 2020 in the scope of the modernization and restructuring of the national airliner with a total cost of USD 140 million.

The payment of the six aircrafts - turbo propeller model, to carry 74 passengers, of which 10 in executive class - is to last seven years with the prospect to extend the deadline by five more years.

In the Angola capital, at the 4 February International Airport, the sixth aircrafst named "Dande", received the first welcome shower by two jets of the Civil Protection Department and Fire Service.

On the occasion the director of Flight Operations at TAAG, José Coelho, announced that this aircraft will reinforce the frequencies for routes with the highest demand.

"With this aircraft, we will not open new routes, in the first instance, but we will be able to increase the number of domestic and regional routes to meet our customers´demands", reinforced the official.

The director of operations revealed also that the purchase of these aircrafts safeguarded the component related to the training of national staff, by the manufacturer, especifically the handling training (piloting) and technical assistance.

On his turn, the aircraft commander, Olívio Patrício, who flew the aircraft from Toronto (Canada), with a technical stopover in three countries, assured that it was safe, fast and comfortable for all its passengers.

The aircraft Dash 8-400, the latest of its type, is easy to deploy into manoeuvres, with lowest level of pollution and consumption of fuel.

It has a flight autonomy of 6 hours, can fly up to 2,500 metres above sea level and can reach a speed of 700 km/hour.

The Dash 8-400 is an economy aircraft that reduces operational expenses by 30%; it has great commercial flexibility, as it is quick and adaptable to short runways.

Currently, the TAAG fleet comprises 21 aircraft, namely the Dash 8-Q400 with six aircraft and Boeing 737-700 with seven aircraft, Boeing 777- 200 with three aircraft and Boeing 777-300 with five aircraft.