Ricardo de Abreu, speaking on Friday during a visit by the President of Portugal to the Angolan province of Benguela, also said that once the airport receives its international certification it may have direct air links from Lisbon or other cities.
He warned, however, that “this direct route from the Portuguese capital to Catumbela will depend on its economic viability,” according to the Angop news agency.
The certification process of Catumbela airport is in the third of five phases, he said, announcing that either this year or early next year “this whole process could be completed.”
Abreu also said that the alteration of Angola’s own airport operating laws is still underway and that this will make it possible to speed up the certification process, not only of Catumbela but also of other aerodromes in the country.