Angola, an emerging destination on Africa’s southwest coast and home to the world’s second-largest Portuguese-speaking population, offers 1,650 km of Atlantic coastline. It is also known for natural attractions such as Kalandula Falls and Miradouro da Lua, as well as biodiverse national parks including Iona and Kissama.

After decades marked by a devastating civil war, the country has been steadily rebuilding its tourism sector. According to the Ministry of Tourism, leisure tourism grew by 20% in 2025, driven in part by targeted promotional campaigns.

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nvited as guest of honour at the “Blue Dinner”, Will Smith was received by Márcio Daniel and Jorge Miguêns, Vice-Governor of Luanda. During the trip, Smith also met President João Lourenço at the Presidential Palace, where the pair discussed opportunities for future projects involving local creators. The actor revealed his fandom for Angolan folk and semba singer-songwriter Bonga.

Smith’s power as a Hollywood A-list actor and producer has been leveraged for various environmental and economic purposes over the years. As a young performer, he was one half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, but became even better known after being cast as the title role in the NBC sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He enjoyed further worldwide musical hits off the back of an acting career that included blockbuster hits such as Independence Day and Men in Black, as well as achieving critical acclaim, particularly for biopic roles such as Richard Williams, the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams.

@e1series E1 lands in Luanda We were joined in Angola by @Westbrook Racing Team Owner, Will Smith, to announce the Championship coming to Angola’s capital city on the 12-13 September 2026. #E1 #ChampionsOfTheWater #racing #motorsport #angola ♬ original sound – E1 Series

More recently, his reputation suffered after he physically attacked Oscars host Chris Rock at the 94^th Academy Awards in 2022, following a joke about Smith’s partner Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head (the actress and musician suffers from alopecia). That incident led to Smith quitting the Academy and being banned for a decade.

Nonetheless, Smith remains a popular figure who has used his celebrity to promote electric boat racing as part of the decarbonisation of marine transport. Angola’s participation in the E1 World Electric Boat Championship was announced during his recent visit there. It marks the first time Angola will take part and only the second ever African circuit, after Lagos, Nigeria.

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Speaking to the power of event tourism, Daniel said the championship “will provide unique experiences, promoting sustainability actions, and positioning Angola on the global map of tourism and innovation in nautical sports.”

L’article From Hollywood to Luanda: Will Smith falls for Angola est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The two-day event is expected to welcome more than 1,000 high-level participants, including sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, tourism authorities, ministers and global business executives. Through panel discussions, closed-door roundtables, B2B meetings and networking sessions, the summit aims to position tourism as a catalyst for broader economic transformation.

From global spotlight to investment platform

The summit builds on the international visibility Angola gained earlier this year as the official host country of ITB Berlin 2026. The country used the global tourism stage to showcase its ambition to reposition tourism as a key pillar of economic diversification and to attract international investment.

Originally foreseen for May, the Luanda summit has now been rescheduled to June due to the ongoing Middle East crisis, which has impacted international travel and scheduling, while also allowing for an expanded programme and broader international participation.

Tourism as a driver of economic transformation

At the heart of the summit’s agenda is the recognition of tourism as more than a standalone sector. Discussions will focus on how tourism can drive infrastructure development, cross-border investment and long-term economic growth.

Key sectors under discussion will include hospitality, aviation, smart cities, renewable energy and digital transformation, illustrating how tourism investment increasingly intersects with wider development strategies.

“Angola represents one of the most promising investment frontiers not only in Africa but globally,” said Bulut Bağcı, President of the World Tourism Forum Institute. “Tourism is no longer a standalone sector. It is a catalyst for broader economic transformation.”

Growing international interest in Angola

Angola’s emergence as a strategic investment destination is underpinned by its natural resources, expanding infrastructure and reform-driven economic agenda. The country is positioning itself as a gateway for international capital, with tourism playing a central role in this transformation.

Recent high-profile visits are further reinforcing this momentum. The arrival of Will Smith in Luanda as part of the E1 electric boat racing delegation has added international visibility to Angola’s ambitions in tourism and innovation. The visit coincided with the announcement of the Luanda Grand Prix, positioning the capital as a new destination on the global nautical sports map and highlighting the country’s strategy to attract investment in maritime tourism.

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Speaking on the country’s positioning, Julia Kleber, CEO of Kleber Group, highlighted the convergence between tourism potential and long-term investment opportunities.

“Angola is emerging as a market where tourism and investment are evolving hand in hand,” she said, pointing to the country’s increasing international visibility and structured development agenda.

Public and private sectors aligning

A strong emphasis will be placed on public-private collaboration, with sessions dedicated to investment models, policy frameworks and scalable development strategies. Topics such as intra-African connectivity, the rise of the middle class and the role of technology in economic diversification are expected to feature prominently.

The summit reflects a broader shift in Angola’s approach, moving from promotion to implementation, with concrete projects and investment-ready frameworks increasingly being presented to international partners.

A defining moment for investment in Africa

Hosted in Luanda, one of Africa’s fastest-evolving capitals, the GTF Investment Summit is poised to become a key platform for deal-making, knowledge exchange and strategic alignment.

As Angola continues to build on its recent international exposure, the June summit represents a critical next step in translating ambition into tangible investment outcomes. With tourism positioned as the country’s “green oil”, the event is expected to reinforce Angola’s role as one of Africa’s most promising emerging destinations for tourism-led investment.

L’article Angola to host Global Tourism Forum Investment Summit in Luanda from 17 to 19 June 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The announcement was highlighted during a Leaders Dinner in Berlin organised by the World Tourism Forum Institute in partnership with the Angolan Ministry of Tourism, bringing together ministers, ambassadors, investors and tourism executives to discuss Angola’s growing role as an emerging tourism destination in Africa.

Tourism at the heart of Angola’s economic diversification

Angola has long relied heavily on oil exports, but the government is now accelerating efforts to diversify the national economy. Tourism has been identified as one of the sectors capable of generating employment, attracting international investment and supporting regional development.

Speaking during the Berlin event, Angola’s Minister of Tourism, Márcio Daniel, underlined that the country is entering a new phase in its tourism development strategy.

“Angola is entering a new phase in which tourism potential is being translated into concrete business opportunities,” Daniel said. “We have a clear strategy, structured projects and a strong institutional commitment to build long term partnerships with international investors.”

The minister reiterated the concept he recently described to Travel Tomorrow at ITB Berlin, presenting tourism as Angola’s “green oil”, a sustainable economic driver capable of creating jobs while protecting the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

Investment framework designed to attract international capital

A key moment of the Berlin gathering was the presentation of the tourism investment guidelines titled Tourism Doing Business – Investing in Angola, developed with the technical support of UN Tourism.

The publication offers international investors a comprehensive overview of Angola’s tourism potential and identifies concrete projects across several priority sectors, including ecotourism, nature tourism, coastal development, hotel infrastructure and resort investment.

By providing detailed information on project locations, legal frameworks and partnership models, the guidelines aim to reduce uncertainty for investors and facilitate foreign direct investment into Angola’s tourism sector.

“Angola is not only presenting potential. We are presenting structure and planning,” Daniel said. “The opportunities are clearly identified and we are ready to develop strong and mutually beneficial partnerships.”

Global investors exploring tourism opportunities

The Berlin Leaders Dinner also featured the signing of several memoranda of understanding between the Government of Angola and international companies interested in tourism development opportunities across the country.

The agreements cover cooperation in areas such as infrastructure development, transport, energy related tourism projects and the creation of internationally branded resort properties.

These initiatives reflect growing international confidence in Angola’s tourism ambitions and signal a shift from promotion to implementation, with public investment in infrastructure complemented by private sector participation in hospitality development.

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Tourism as a platform for investment and connectivity

Opening the evening, Bulut Bağcı, President of the World Tourism Forum Institute, emphasised that tourism today must be understood not only as a visitor economy but also as a driver of investment, connectivity and long term economic value.

“Tourism today is not only about visitors. It is about investment, infrastructure, connectivity and trust,” Bağcı said. “Angola is ready to build long term partnerships with the global private sector to turn potential into measurable impact.”

The event gathered representatives from governments, international institutions and the private sector, illustrating the growing interest in Angola’s tourism development strategy and its investment opportunities.

From Berlin to Luanda

The momentum generated during ITB Berlin is expected to continue in the coming months as Angola prepares to host the Global Tourism Forum Investment Summit in Luanda from 7 to 9 May 2026.

The summit will bring together tourism ministers, international hotel groups, infrastructure developers, tour operators and financial institutions to explore investment opportunities and strengthen public private partnerships in the sector.

Angola’s tourism proposition is based on a combination of extraordinary natural assets and new investment frameworks. The country offers dramatic landscapes ranging from the Namibe Desert to the spectacular Kalandula Falls, more than 1,650 kilometres of Atlantic coastline and vast wildlife ecosystems connected to the Kavango Zambezi conservation region.

With improved infrastructure, increasing international connectivity and a growing pipeline of tourism projects, Angola is seeking to position itself as one of Africa’s emerging tourism destinations.

L’article Angola builds on Berlin momentum ahead of Global Tourism Forum in Luanda from 7 to 9 May 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

On the sidelines of the fair, I sat down with Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Minister of Tourism of Angola, to discuss why tourism is emerging as a key pillar of the country’s diversification strategy, the opportunities opening for investors, and how Angola intends to position itself on the global travel map.

The conversation comes two days after the opening of ITB Berlin’s 60^th anniversary edition, where Angola’s presence has been impossible to miss across the Messe Berlin halls.

From oil to “green oil”

For decades, Angola’s economy has been heavily dependent on oil. The sector still represents around 28.9% of GDP and roughly 95% of export revenues. However, production is gradually declining and the government is actively pursuing diversification.

Tourism, the minister explained, is increasingly seen as part of the answer.

“Angola cannot base its economic future on oil alone. Tourism is our green oil, with enormous potential to create jobs, develop rural regions and sustainably utilise our natural and cultural heritage,” Daniel told Travel Tomorrow.

Recent figures underline the momentum behind this strategy. According to the International Monetary Fund, Angola recorded 4.4% real GDP growth in 2024, its strongest performance in five years, driven largely by non-oil sectors.

Within this broader transformation, tourism is gaining political and financial attention. The ministry itself was created just two years ago, reflecting the country’s growing commitment to developing the sector as a new engine of economic growth.

Untouched nature and the “Big Five plus gorillas”

Angola’s tourism pitch rests heavily on its extraordinary natural potential, much of which remains largely unexplored by international travellers.

“The potential we have makes our country quite unique on the continent,” Daniel said. “Angola is a place where you can find the Big Five plus gorillas.”

The country shares vast ecosystems with neighbouring Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. These landscapes form part of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, one of the largest conservation regions in the world and home to the planet’s largest elephant population.

“This is a region where wildlife moves freely across borders,” the minister explained. “Elephants do not need passports.”

To capitalise on this shared natural heritage, the countries have developed a joint tourism brand and introduced the KAZA visa, allowing travellers to move more easily between participating destinations.

While neighbouring countries have already built thriving safari industries, Angola’s side of the region remains largely undeveloped.

“That is why this moment is important,” Daniel said. “We have untouched nature and unexplored destinations. The opportunity now is to develop eco-resorts, lodges and sustainable tourism infrastructure.”

1,650 km of coastline and sun and beach tourism

Beyond wildlife tourism, Angola also sees enormous potential in sun and beach tourism along its 1,650 km Atlantic coastline. “The beaches are still virgin,” Daniel said. “We have looked closely at what other countries have done successfully.”

One example frequently cited by Angolan policymakers is Cape Verde, which increased tourist arrivals from around 300,000 to nearly 2 million within a few years through a combination of investor friendly policies and public private partnerships. Angola aims to replicate similar models.

The government has identified several coastal zones with strong tourism potential. The state is responsible for building the core infrastructure, including electricity, sanitation, telecommunications and access roads, while the hospitality industry will be developed by private investors.

“We prepare the master plans and the infrastructure, and then invite the private sector to build the hotels and resorts,” the minister explained. President João Lourenço has already approved around €500 million in infrastructure investment to prepare these coastal areas for tourism development.

Creating jobs for a young population

One of the strongest arguments for tourism development in Angola lies in its demographic reality.cThe country has around 37 million inhabitants, with 66% under the age of 25.

“For our young population, job creation is essential,” Daniel said. “Tourism is one of the industries that can respond quickly to this need.”

Training programmes are being developed to prepare young Angolans for careers in hospitality, guiding and tourism services. “It takes only six months to train someone to work in the industry,” he noted. “Tourism can offer hope and opportunities for many young men and women.”

Investment opportunities and global promotion

At ITB Berlin, Angola is also using the global stage to present concrete investment opportunities. During ITB Berlin the government is launching “Invest in Angola – Tourism Guidelines”, a document outlining bankable tourism projects designed to attract international capital. The initiative has been developed in cooperation with UN Tourism.

“There is currently a lack of hotel capacity in our country,” Daniel acknowledged. “That means there are opportunities for investors.”

Large international hotel groups such as Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Accor have already announced or implemented projects in Angola, while new developments are expected in the coming years.

Visa facilitation is also part of the strategy. Angola has simplified entry procedures for nearly 100 countries, making it significantly easier for international visitors to travel to the country.

Connectivity and international events

Infrastructure developments are reinforcing Angola’s ambitions as a tourism and business destination.

The Dr António Agostinho Neto International Airport in Luanda, with a capacity of up to 15 million passengers per year, is expected to strengthen the country’s international connectivity. Meanwhile, the expansion of the MICE sector is supported by a new convention centre and the creation of an Angola Convention Bureau.

Angola is also increasingly positioning itself on the global tourism events calendar.

The Global Tourism Forum will hold a special session in Luanda on 7 to 9 May 2026, while Angola will also serve as Host Country of the Global Tourism Forum in Brussels in October 2026.

“Together with the spotlight provided by ITB Berlin 2026, these events form part of a broader diplomatic and economic push to place Angola firmly on the international tourism map”, said Bulut Bağcı, President of World Tourism Forum Institute.

A destination rediscovering itself

Walking through the halls of Messe Berlin, Angola’s message is clear: tourism is no longer a secondary consideration but a strategic priority.

For a country celebrating 50 years of independence, the sector represents both an economic opportunity and a symbol of transformation. “We are a young country that has woken up to tourism,” Daniel said. “Now we are creating the conditions for investors and travellers to discover Angola.”

If the momentum generated at ITB Berlin continues, Angola’s ambition to turn tourism into its “green oil” may soon become one of Africa’s most compelling tourism development stories.

L’article “Tourism is Angola’s green oil”, Minister Márcio Daniel sets the course at ITB Berlin 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

A strategic partnership for ITB Berlin sixtieth anniversary

At a formal signing ceremony, Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Angola’s Minister of Tourism, and Dirk Hoffmann, COO of Messe Berlin, put pen to paper on the partnership that will define the 2026 edition of ITB Berlin. “We are delighted that Angola is the official host country of ITB Berlin 2026,” said Minister Daniel, emphasising that the accord offers “a unique opportunity to showcase the country’s diversity, culture, and natural beauty on one of the world’s most important platforms.”

The new national branding “Visit Angola – The Rhythm of Life”  is central to Angola’s pitch. Through it, the Ministry intends to evoke a sense of vibrancy, authenticity, and sensory richness, inviting the global travel trade to experience Angola with all their senses.

From the ITB side, Hoffmann said the partnership “once again highlights ITB Berlin’s role as a platform that supports destinations in making their tourism potential visible on the world stage.” He called Angola a “multifaceted country” whose presence as the host for the 60th anniversary would be a “special honour.”

Also present at the signing was Julia Kleber, CEO of the Kleber Group and official representative of the Angola Tourism Board. She painted a vivid picture of what visitors might expect: “fascinating contrast of wild coasts, impressive desert landscapes, majestic waterfalls and ancient rock formations … full of energy, diversity and warmth.” Kleber stressed that the role of the official tourism board gives Angola a rare chance to lift its international profile and assert itself as a truly fresh and authentic African destination.

Angola on the stage at ITB Berlin 2026

As the host country, Angola will mount a comprehensive and ambitious presence at ITB Berlin 2026. The programme will officially kick off with an opening gala on 2 March at Berlin’s CityCube, preceding the three-day trade show. During the event (3–5 March), Angola will curate exhibitions, cultural performances, and immersive experiences reflecting its “Rhythm of Life” motif.

In many ways, 2026 will be a moment not just for celebration but for reflection on the trajectory of global tourism. ITB Berlin has grown since its founding in 1966 to a global brand, with satellite events in Asia, China, India, and, from 2026, the launch of ITB Americas. The 60^th edition promises to unite past, present, and future in one platform.

From Albania to Angola

Each year, ITB Berlin designates a host country that enjoys special visibility during the fair. In 2025, Albania held this role, captivating visitors with its “All Senses” theme and immersive cultural programme. Following in its footsteps, Angola now steps into the spotlight as the next invited country, ready to showcase the diversity and dynamism of the African continent. The transition from Albania to Angola illustrates ITB Berlin’s commitment to highlighting emerging destinations with strong tourism potential.

Africa’s hidden gem is ready for the spotlight

Angola is, in relative terms, still underexplored in global tourism discourse, yet its potential is compelling. Its geography is richly varied, with a long Atlantic coastline, arid deserts, verdant interior plateaus, river valleys, and cascading waterfalls. One of its signature protected areas is Iona National Park, its oldest and largest, situated in the southwest Namibe region. Iona is characterised by shifting dunes, rugged escarpment,s and scattered lagoons, and is now undergoing restoration and biodiversity initiatives.

The local music, dance, and cultural traditions are equally vivid, reflecting a tapestry of indigenous heritages and Portuguese influence. Under the “Rhythm of Life” branding, Angola hopes to lean into its intangible cultural assets as much as its physical ones.

From an economic perspective, Angola’s tourism sector is still relatively small by global standards, but recent data suggest momentum is building. In 2023, the sector reportedly generated US $667 million in receipts, supporting over 100,000 direct jobs, and infrastructure investments, such as a new convention centre, are underway. Meanwhile, a visa exemption policy introduced under Presidential Decree No. 189/23 has eased access by enabling citizens of 98 countries to enter more freely. An important signal of policy intent to loosen barriers to tourism.

On the arrivals front, data remain sparse, but historical numbers offer context. In 2019, Angola recorded around 218,000 international arrivals, which gives a sense of scale compared to more established destinations. In 2022, the country received nearly 130,000 tourists, around 40% lower than pre-pandemic levels. These modest numbers underscore both the challenge and opportunity: Angola must deliver a strong showcase in Berlin to catalyse interest and bookings. The traction it achieves could drive new flight routes, tour packages, investment in hospitality, and cross-border collaborations.

Challenges and opportunities ahead

The road to ITB 2026 will require deft coordination. Logistically, Angola must develop exhibitor displays, cultural performances, media campaigns, and destination marketing content, all on schedule and to a standard expected on a global stage. Internally, infrastructure improvements in transport, lodging, signage, and tourism services must keep pace with any uptick in demand.

At the same time, Angola has a relatively blank canvas. Fewer entrenched tourism narratives give it freedom to shape perceptions anew. With the support of the international travel trade, bilateral promotion, airline partnerships, and sustainable development strategies, Angola can move from a hidden gem to a destination on the rise.

L’article Angola to host ITB Berlin 2026 as it celebrates its sixtieth anniversary est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Safety and comfort for 15 million passengers per year.

See https://t.co/LcZ9BXp1Sj and get the tender documents.#mintrans #ministeriodostransportes #transportes #Angola pic.twitter.com/Ej7qZAsWSc

— mintrans-tenders.ao (@AoTenders) November 22, 2023

With a price tag of around 3 billion dollars, the new airport and its supporting infrastructure definitely didn’t come cheap. However, the public investment was fully funded by the Angolan government. It is hoped that the concession of the airport’s management, the development of the airport city and the engagement of the private sector will, in time, be able to refund the investment. Located about 40 kilometers from the capital Luanda, AIAAN will be one of the largest airports in Africa by passenger capacity.

“I must emphasize that with this new airport, we intend to create an international civil aviation hub in Luanda, which will play a crucial role in connecting Africa and the other continents”, Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu, told Simple Flying. “It truly contributes to the development of our region’s economies in a logic of ever greater integration and creation of added value for all. Africa needs to be linked to Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Why? Because passengers increasingly need to move and because air transport is increasingly necessary to shorten distances and satisfy the needs of various sectors of the world economy.”

AIAAN counts two asphalt runways and will be able to handle 10 million international and 5 million domestic travellers a year, which will be welcomed in a passenger terminal spanning over 160,000 square meters. Hotels, shops and office buildings are just a few of the infrastructures on site. As far as cargo capacity goes, the airport will handle 130,000 tonnes annually in the first phase, which could be expanded to 440,000 tonnes per year. With such numbers, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the government plans to transfer all passenger flights and a lot of cargo flights to the new airport.

“We have had several meetings with various airlines to explain the advantages of this new infrastructure, particularly with the carriers that already operate in Angola, and which will obviously move to the new airport, where they will have the opportunity to provide their services at the level they do in other parts of the world”, Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu added.

At this moment, Angola is connected to 36 destinations in 22 countries and is served by 13 international airlines.

Meanwhile, the old Quatro de Fevereiro Airport will still be kept on. It will remain open for non- commercial air services, such as special and executive jet flights. Furthermore, it could be used for maintenance and training purposes.

L’article Angola opens new 3 billion dollars international airport est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Citizens of 98 countries can now visit Angola visa-free for tourism (up to 90 days). Just need passport, return ticket and vaccination certificate (not sure if that’s covid or Yellow Fever to be honest!) Still, amazing news for Angolan tourism! #Angola#Luanda https://t.co/tbCmW9s6wO

— Bradt Angola Guide (@BradtAngola) October 4, 2023

Tourism presents new opportunities

The Portuguese-speaking republic on the west-central coast of southern Africa is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, recovering from the quarter-century civil war that followed the obtention of independence from Portugal in 1975. Despite the country’s GDP reaching $117.88 billion in 2023, much of the population, especially in rural areas, remains poor.

As well as being driven by oil and other fossil fuels, the Angolan economy benefits from diamond reserves and precious metal mining. But as the world begins to take seriously the need to leave fossil fuels in the ground, tourism presents a new way forward for a country with an enviable offer to holidaymakers including secluded tropical Atlantic beaches, the Namib desert, lush rainforest and rich wildlife.

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Priority markets

Until now, tourists to Angola have faced long and difficult admin processes before being able to travel. Now, thanks to Presidential Decree Number 189/23 of September 29, 2023, more visitors than ever will be able to enjoy visa-free holidays to Angola as a destination. In tandem with the dismantling of the country’s notorious bureaucracy, Linhas Aereas de Angola Airlines, or “TAAG”, the country’s national air carrier is opening or re-opening European routes including to London Gatwick.

Brazil, Cape Verde, China, Portugal, the United States and Russia have been named as the country’s priority target markets. (The US and China are already its biggest trade partners.)

Beneficiaries across the continents

Other citizens set to benefit from the new visa rules include those from:

• Algeria, Botswana, Cape Verde, Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, Morocco, Lesotho, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, among African nations
• India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, and Timor-Leste in Asia
• Argentina, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay in The Americas

Meanwhile Europe has the largest number of visa-exempt countries listed (35). The Caribbean, Pacific and Oceania are also all represented.

Applicable immediately

Applicable immediately, the new visa-waiver directive applies to tourist trips only, for up to 90 days. President João Lourenço has directed the country’s foreign affairs ministry let beneficiary countries know about the new exemption.

Foreign citizens visiting Angola for other reasons such as work, study, medical treatment or those seeking a residential permit, will still need to apply through formal channels.

L’article Nearly 100 countries now have visa-free tourist access to Angola est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

It is believed that around 17:00 LT (+1 GMT) shortly before sunset, two men boarded the plane. One was US pilot and flight engineer Ben C. Padilla. The other was identified as John M. Mutantu, who was serving as a contract mechanic for the Republic of Congo.

Both men had been working on the plane’s mechanics to prepare it for flight. US authorities believe that Padilla was at the controls of the plane. It should be noted that neither man was certified to fly a Boeing 727, and the plane normally requires three crew members to operate it.

Many questions were left up in the air. Why did the two men board the plane without having a license and authorization to do so? Was there someone else inside the aircraft? How did it simply disappear? Since this disappearance occurred less than two years after September 11, 2001, the US security services were on alert to see if they were facing a new attack.

Investigations mention that an airport employee reported that he only saw one person on board the 727; other witnesses mentioned that two men had boarded the plane prior to its theft. The plane began taxiing without communicating with the control tower; it then maneuvered erratically and entered a runway without authorization.

At that time, control tower officials attempted to communicate but received no response. Prior to the incident, the aircraft refueled 53,000 liters of jet fuel, giving it a range of approximately 2,400 kilometers. With no lights, the plane took off and headed southwest over the Atlantic Ocean before disappearing. Neither the plane nor the two men have since been seen and no wreckage has been found either on land or at sea.

Colonel António de Almeida Tomé, an airline pilot for the Portuguese Air Force, explained to CNN that what is known is that Ben Padilla and John Mutantu were seen going to the plane. For Almeida Tomé, there are only two hypotheses: either the plane crashed into the sea, which is likely, given the inexperience of the two men piloting, especially at night, or it was a scheme prepared by the company.

In this case, the aircraft could have flown northwards, to the DRC, where it landed somewhere on the outskirts of the capital, on a pre-prepared runway”, and then dismantled, with the aim of “selling separate parts at a good price”. According to Almeida Tomé, second hypothesis is more likely because when there is a plane crash at sea, debris or oil slicks can be spotted.

So far it is not known what happened to the Boeing 727 registration N844AA, there are rumors of an alleged fraud, and others point to the fact that it was seen in Guinea, but all have been denied by US investigators.

The only thing that is known is the leaked diplomatic cables indicating that the United States conducted an extensive search in several countries. A regional security official who searched for the plane in Sri Lanka was unsuccessful. Investigations were also conducted in Nigeria, but to no avail.

L’article Mystery of Boeing 727 disappearing after take off in Angola remains 19 years later est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The exhibition includes old photographs and books, and is part of a week of tribute to the poet and doctor, who was the first President of Angola. A cultivated man, Neto played a crucial role in the emancipation of his countrymen and women.

The exhibition, which will be on display at the Press Club Brussels until the 17th of this month (National Hero Day), portrays the different stages of António Agostinho Neto’s diplomatic political journey, which culminated with the achievement of national independence on 11 November 1975.

Present during the inauguration at Press Club was Professor Paulette Pierson-Mathy who welcomed Agostinho Neto in Brussels back in 1973. Other personalities included Mr. José Filomeno Monteiro, Ambassador of Cape Verde and Mr. Rui Tereno, Ambassador of Portugal.

Mário de Azevedo Constantino, Ambassador of Angola

José Filomeno Monteiro, Ambassador of Cape Verde

Rui Manupella Tereno, Ambassador of Portugal

 

Earlier that day, Ambassador Azevedo Constantino, presented his credentials to King Philippe at the Royal Palace in Brussels. Ambassador Azevedo Constantino is the thirteenth Ambassador of Angola to the Kingdom of Belgium.