TAAG Angola Airlines transported two adult lions from Johannesburg to Lagos in an unusual cargo operation routed through its hub at Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport in Luanda, using a Boeing 737-800 Freighter. The shipment, completed earlier in August and disclosed on 15 August, underscored the Angolan carrier’s ability to handle specialised live-animal freight across Africa.
The lions were under the care of wildlife specialists in South Africa before departure and were destined for a zoological facility in Lagos. TAAG Cargo used the Luanda stopover as part of the routing, reflecting the airline’s growing role in regional transshipment through its newer cargo base.
TAAG already operates cargo services to several African cities, and the Luanda airport began handling cargo flights in late 2023. The move placed an uncommon but technically demanding consignment through a network that the airline is positioning for complex freight beyond standard general cargo.