TAAG Angola Airlines, the national airline of Angola, has started using a suite of advanced data link and flight support services from ARINC Incorporated. ARINC has signed a 5-year contract with the…
TAAG Angola Airlines, the national airline of Angola, has started using a suite of advanced data link and flight support services from ARINC Incorporated. ARINC has signed a 5-year contract with the carrier to provide advanced GLOBALinkSM VHF, GLOBALink Satellite, and High Frequency Data Link (HFDL) services. TAAG has also signed for ARINC’s Graphic/Text Weather Service (GTWS) and the exclusive ARINC OpCenterSM message management solution, which enhances standard data link communications.
TAAG replaced most of its passenger fleet in late 2006 with six new Boeing aircraft, including four B737-700 and two B777-200ER extended range planes. It also plans to take delivery on two additional long-range Boeing aircraft later this year.
“ARINC’s combination of satellite, VHF, and High Frequency Data Link services will allow us to optimize both flight communications and costs on our domestic routes, international routes to Africa and the Middle East, and our planned overseas routes to Latin America, Asia, and the U.S.,” stated Horacio Coelho, TAAG Angola Manager of Information Technology. “We also look forward to more efficient message delivery and enhanced operation as a result of using the OpCenter message management system.”
“ARINC is very pleased to be selected as the new flight data communications provider for TAAG Angola, as they modernize with an entirely new and advanced fleet,” said Andy Hubbard, ARINC Director, Aviation Services EMEA. “They will be getting the benefit of cost-efficient connectivity from end to end of their route map, as well as the most advanced weather and message services available.”
ARINC OpCenter messaging service enables TAAG’s dispatchers to send, receive, and manage data link messages efficiently, while translating data link code into readable text for enhanced communications. It also reduces costs by eliminating the need for airlines to develop proprietary server-based message systems.
OpCenter includes a secure Internet e-mail service hosted by ARINC to give crews reliable ground communications with global access to important operational messages from any Internet connection. OpCenter can also host and deliver pre-departure clearances (PDCs) from Air Traffic Control to requesting aircraft via data link.
TAAG Angola Airlines has steadily expanded its international routes, and now serves six African countries as well as intercontinental destinations at Lisbon, Paris, Rome, Moscow, Rio de Janiero, and Havana. Plans to offer service to Dubai, Beijing, and the U.S. are being pursued later this year.
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