TAAG Angola Seeks US Exemption Renewal for Houston Flights
TAAG Angola Airlines (DT, Luanda 4 De Fevereiro) has submitted a request to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for a two-year renewal of its exemption authority, aiming to launch non-stop flights from Luanda to Houston Intercontinental by 2027. The service would operate under a wet-lease or codeshare agreement with an approved US or foreign carrier.
Filed on March 25, TAAG’s application seeks to extend the exemption originally granted on June 30, 2023. The authority allows scheduled services transporting passengers, cargo, and mail between Angola and the US via wet-lease or codeshare arrangements, pending safety certification.
TAAG is currently unable to operate its own flights to the US due to Angola’s lack of a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category 1 safety rating. The airline plans to apply for Part 129 operational specifications and launch direct services once the FAA upgrades Angola’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) to Category 1.
To support this goal, TAAG has begun modernizing its long-haul fleet, acquiring Boeing 787 Dreamliners to replace its ageing Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. The first Boeing 787-9 was delivered in January 2025, and additional deliveries—including one more 787-9 and two 787-10s—are expected. These aircraft are intended for the planned Luanda-Houston route, which remains subject to regulatory approvals.
TAAG’s renewed exemption request is a step toward expanding its global connectivity and re-establishing direct links between Angola and the United States.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com