Luanda (Angola) ↔ Maputo (Mozambique)

Luanda (Angola) ↔ Maputo (Mozambique)

Route Status: Underserved
Route Type: Intra-African international
Region: Southern Africa

1. Demand & Passenger Traffic

• Current demand (2024): ~45,000 passengers/year
  
  

• Past demand (2022): ~42,865 passengers
  
  

• Forecast demand (2026): ~47,281 passengers
  
  

• Annual growth rate: ~2.5% CAGR
  
  

• Main traveler types: Energy sector professionals, government, trade groups, Portuguese business travelers
  
  

• Top O&D substitute cities: Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Nairobi
  
  

• Total travel time saved with direct flight: 8–12 hours per trip
  
  

• Average ticket cost (2024): $900–$1,300 round trip
  
  

2. Revenue Projections

• Estimated average yield: ~$210 per passenger
  
  

• Estimated annual route revenue: ~$9.5 million
  
  

• Potential net revenue after ops costs: ~$2.8–4.2 million
  
  

• Pricing advantage: Cuts out costly multi-leg options through South Africa
  
  

• Seat load target: 60%+ breakeven on narrow-body aircraft
  
  

3. Economic Justification

• Angola GDP growth: 2.8%
  
  

• Mozambique GDP growth: 5.0%
  
  

• Luanda: OPEC-member capital with strong oil export base
  
  

• Maputo: LNG and offshore gas infrastructure hub
  
  

• Shared language and growing trade cooperation between Portuguese-speaking African countries
  
  

4. Aircraft & Operational Details

• Aircraft types: Boeing 737 MAX, A320neo, Embraer E195-E2
  
  

• Flight time (direct): ~3hr 30min
  
  

• Range: Within operating limits for all aircraft listed
  
  

• Runway length: Sufficient for narrow-body service at both airports
  
  

5. Proposed Launch Strategy

• Initial frequency: 2x weekly
  
  

• Scaling target: 4–5x weekly within 12–18 months
  
  

• Ideal timing: Midweek and weekend departures to serve energy sector travel
  
  

• Feeder network: Capitalize on regional traffic via TAAG and LAM’s hubs
  
  

6. Strategic Value

• Faster link for Lusophone business and political ties
  
  

• Stronger access for regional energy investors
  
  

• Key routing for joint ventures in oil and gas
  
  

• Builds stronger economic bonds in Southern Africa
  
  

7. Recommended Airlines

• TAAG Angola Airlines
  
  

• LAM Mozambique Airlines
  
  

• Ethiopian Airlines (via codeshare or extension)
  
  

• Airlink