The founder and chief executive officer of Fly Angola, Belarn\u00edcio Muangala, believes that the Angolan State has taken on a dual role in the civil aviation sector, acting simultaneously as both \u201creferee and player.\u201d According to him, this situation discourages private investment and makes it impossible to build a truly competitive market.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cA competitive existence in aviation is not possible. That explains why no one wants to invest in this sector,\u201d he said in an interview, stressing that the current model of State intervention is the main obstacle to the development of Angola\u2019s aviation industry.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
In an interview with Jornal Valor Econ\u00f3mico<\/em>, Muangala warned that, although legislation allows the participation of private operators in regular air transport, the State continues to control the main structures and strategic decisions \u2014 from the national carrier TAAG to the management of airports.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe current system does not encourage private investors. The State owns the flag carrier, the airport operator, the handling company, and even the catering service. This creates unequal opportunities and discourages investment,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
According to the businessman, aviation is not included in Angola\u2019s economic incentive programs, which worsens the difficulties in obtaining financing and expanding private companies.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThere is no clear development program for the sector. Air transport is not covered by the National Bank of Angola\u2019s incentive schemes, unlike agriculture or tourism,\u201d he lamented.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Example of the Catumbela\u2013Windhoek Route<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Fly Angola launched the international Catumbela\u2013Windhoek route between Angola and Namibia in early 2024 but suspended operations six months later due to a lack of incentives and institutional support.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cNamibia granted us a six-month exemption from airport fees. On the Angolan side, we received nothing. This difference in development policies explains why the route failed,\u201d the CEO explained.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Muangala said the project aimed to strengthen the connection between the two countries and promote the use of the recently certified Catumbela International Airport. However, \u201cthe absence of incentives made it impossible to sustain operations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Airport Management and Lack of Competition<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The Fly Angola CEO argues that centralized airport management by the public company AIAS, E.P. prevents liberalization and competition within the sector.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAirport fees are set by decree. The airport operator has no power to negotiate directly with airlines. That makes the system rigid and unattractive,\u201d he criticized.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Muangala believes that airports should compete with each other to attract operators and passengers, thereby creating a healthier market environment.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAirlines should be able to choose where to operate based on commercial conditions \u2014 not political decisions,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
State Awareness but No Change<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The businessman claims that the State itself is aware of the limitations it imposes on the sector, recalling that the Competition Regulatory Authority conducted a study in 2020 identifying the same problems. However, no meaningful reforms have been implemented since then.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe reforms exist only on paper. The regulations allow private participation, but the State, which also competes in the market, is the one enforcing them. It\u2019s a political contradiction,\u201d he observed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Profitability and Ongoing Challenges<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Despite the constraints, Muangala says Fly Angola remains operational and profitable, though it faces \u201cenormous challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve proven that it\u2019s possible to make the business profitable, but the margins in air transport are extremely thin under these conditions,\u201d he acknowledged.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The company plans to expand its fleet in the coming months with at least two new aircraft. Yet access to bank financing remains a major obstacle.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cBanks demand high guarantees, and interest rates are incompatible with the aviation sector, which operates on very tight margins,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Call for Liberalization and Cooperation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
For the Fly Angola founder, the way forward lies in true market liberalization and stronger cooperation between public and private operators.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cTAAG should be seen as a partner, not a competitor. What we advocate is a complementary market where each operator contributes to the growth of national air transport,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Muangala concluded that in a country with 39 million inhabitants and vast territory, aviation should be regarded as a strategic driver of economic development.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAir transport is a catalyst for tourism, investment, and growth. As long as the State continues to be both referee and player, the sector will never take off,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Profile<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Belarn\u00edcio Am\u00edcio Ebo Muangala, born in Eastern Europe and raised in Dundo, Lunda-Norte, holds a degree in International Relations from Anhembi Morumbi University in S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil. He also holds a postgraduate diploma in International Business and a master\u2019s degree in Aviation Management from the Emirates Aviation University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n
He founded Fly Angola in 2018, a private airline that operates domestic and regional air transport services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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