Fly Angola, a private airline based in Angola, suspended its domestic flight operations, citing a combination of economic factors that have posed significant challenges. This decision comes in the wake of a turbulent period marked by a weakened Angolan kwanza and adverse operational conditions.
According to reports from ch-aviation, Fly Angola’s financial struggles are intricately linked to the recent devaluation of the Angolan currency, the kwanza. The airline, which operated a modest fleet comprising a De Havilland Canada DHC-8-300 and two Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft, faced substantial losses due to unfavorable policies and mounting operating costs. This detrimental situation was further exacerbated by the devaluation of the kwanza against the US dollar.
In an official statement, Fly Angola lamented the continuous challenges stemming from these economic pressures. The airline candidly expressed its inability to absorb the accumulating operational costs, elaborating on the impact of the kwanza’s devaluation on their financial stability. The airline’s tariffs, which were indexed to the US dollar, became increasingly uncertain in the fluctuating economic landscape, resulting in financial disparities that proved unsustainable for the carrier.
Fly Angola’s aspiration to resume its domestic operations hinges on securing guarantees of sustainable conditions for long-term investment. The airline acknowledged that its operational strategy would undergo a comprehensive re-evaluation in collaboration with relevant authorities.
In an intriguing parallel, the Angolan aviation sector has witnessed contrasting fortunes between Fly Angola and the state-owned carrier, TAAG Angola Airlines. Despite Fly Angola’s difficulties, TAAG has reported a profitable year, partially attributed to financial support from the Angolan government raising pertinent questions about the competition’s viability when faced with divergent levels of governmental backing.
As Fly Angola navigates its challenges and the broader African aviation sector transforms, the intricate interplay between economic realities, government involvement, and shifting travel behaviors will significantly influence the trajectory of aviation on the continent.
Source : Airspace Africa
