New international airports are springing up worldwide as air travel takes off again after the Covid pandemic. Last year, airlines carried a whopping 9.5 billion passengers to destinations all around the globe.
According to the African Airlines Association, around 98 million of these travellers flew to Africa. Air transport remains unevenly distributed across the continent. North Africa remains the most dynamic region and is expected to account for 40.4% of the continent’s total passenger traffic.
However, a new major international airport has recently opened in southern Africa, potentially providing a huge boost to the country’s economy.
The Luanda Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) in Angola opened its doors for business on November 10, 2023.
The airport was built by a Chinese company and cost a cool $3.8 billion (£3bn) to complete.
The facility has a total area of 43 hectares, consisting of two modern runways and three terminal buildings.
The first runway is four kilometres long, while the second one is just under that figure at 3.8km.
When it becomes fully operational, the airport will be able to handle 15 million people a year – 10 million international passengers and 5 million domestic travellers.
A new rail link opened in November, connecting NBJ with downtown Luanda, Angola’s capital city.
The line runs for 40 kilometres (25 miles) and has five stations, ensuring quick and efficient travel to the airport.
Angola is known for its natural resources, particularly oil and diamonds and makes a fantastic destination for a holiday.
Luanda, its capital, has a lively atmosphere and beautiful beaches and is a worth taking a few day to explore.
The Kalandula Falls, located in the Malanje province, is the second-largest waterfall in Africa and a must-see for nature enthusiasts.
A trip to the colonial city of Benguela, located on the Atlantic coast, provides a great opportunity to gain an insight into the country’s rich history and culture.
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