Angola and Ivory Coast have signed a cooperation agreement on civil aviation in Luanda, establishing a legal foundation for international air travel between the two countries. According to Angop, citing Angolan Transport Minister Ricardo D'Abreu, direct flights are expected to start as early as August.
"We plan to swiftly implement this agreement by launching flights between the new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport in Luanda and Abidjan in August 2025. We have full institutional support from the Ivorian authorities," D'Abreu said.
The agreement was signed by Angola's Minister of Transport and Ivory Coast's Minister of Commerce, Souleymane Diarrassouba.
D'Abreu described the agreement as "a clear and pragmatic step" toward achieving the objectives of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), a continent-wide initiative aiming to improve air connectivity and boost trade within Africa.
"The new air route is a reflection of the will of both nations' leaders and marks a new stage in our bilateral relations. This initiative will open up real opportunities for the private sector, encouraging investment and partnerships between our countries," Diarrassouba noted.
In related news, Africa's largest carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, announced in May that it will increase the frequency of flights between Moscow and Addis Ababa. From December 2025, flights between the two capitals are expected to operate daily.
Anna Bespalova
