South Africa and Angola have scrapped capacity and frequency restrictions on passenger and cargo flights between the two countries, effective March 24, in a move aimed at deepening trade, tourism, and investment ties.
The breakthrough was reached during a high-level visit by South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, to Luanda, where she held bilateral engagements with Angola’s Minister of Tourism, Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel. The agreement allows airlines greater flexibility to increase flight frequencies and expand cargo operations without previous regulatory constraints.
Alongside the aviation liberalisation, the two ministers signed a three-year Action Plan on Tourism Cooperation covering investment promotion, joint destination marketing, and skills development.
TAAG Angola Airlines currently operates scheduled flights on the route between the two countries.
Angola has emerged as a growing source market for South Africa’s tourism sector, with visitor numbers from Angola reaching more than 41,000 in 2025, a 10% year-on-year increase.
De Lille’s visit also included attendance at the launch of the Luanda E1 Grand Prix, with the department noting how global sporting events can elevate destination visibility and attract investment.
The timing aligns with broader regional integration efforts within the Southern African Development Community, where Angola is the second-largest economy.
“Every additional flight between our countries is an opportunity for business, for tourism, and for deeper people-to-people connections,” De Lille said.