Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport
Airport guide 2026

Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport NBJ

Angola

Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport is Angola's main international airport and gateway to the capital Luanda, one of the world's most expensive cities for expatriates thanks to the country's oil wealth.

It is a next-generation facility, opened to commercial traffic in 2024 and became the capital's only international airport from October 19, 2025 (when TAAG Angola Airlines transferred all international flights there) and the only commercial airport at all from March 1, 2026, when the historic Quatro de Fevereiro airport was permanently closed. It is located approximately 40-47 km southeast of central Luanda, in the municipality of Bom Jesus (Ícolo e Bengo province): an important detail to keep in mind when planning transfers, which are much longer than with the old city airport.

Content verified on 03/09/2026
Official source: www.aiaan.co.ao

How to get to Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport

Luanda is approximately 40-47 km from the airport: the transfer takes approximately 1-2 hours, often longer during peak hours due to capital city traffic. Official taxi or organized transfer remain the main options; there is no dedicated rail public transport service for flights.

By Car

Visitors arriving by car reach the airport via new road connections linking Luanda to Ícolo and Bengo province; given the distance, it is advisable to allow at least 1-2 hours for the journey, with additional time during peak hours.

By Train

The city does not have a passenger railway network.
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Tips Always avoid unauthorized carriers who spontaneously offer their services outside the terminal: use only official taxis or a pre-booked transfer, especially for night arrivals.

Average travel time to NBJ

TrainNot available
Shuttle busShuttle available, schedules linked to flights
Taxi / Private hire60-120 minutes (depending on traffic, suburban route)

Parking near Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport

The parking lot is directly opposite the terminal, in a newly built facility; detailed rates are not yet widely published online, reflecting the airport's recent opening.

Rates are generally higher than regional standards, in line with Luanda's cost of living; check the current rate at the counter or on the airport's website when planning your trip.

How to get to Luanda from NBJ

By Train

The city has no significant passenger rail network for airport-center connections.

By Bus

With no dedicated rail service, the vast majority of travelers rely on official taxis or organized transfers; shuttle buses to the city are also available, with schedules linked to flight times.

By Taxi

Official taxis wait in the arrivals area; always agree on the fare before departing, as meters are not always used: expect between 6,750 and 30,250 kwanza (approximately 7-30 USD equivalent; local exchange rate is variable) to Luanda center, depending on exact route and vehicle type. Given the journey of approximately 40-47 km, allow 1-2 hours of travel time.

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Car rental at Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport

Several international and local car rental operators are present in the arrivals area.

Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card in the driver's name for the security deposit. The International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally required for foreign visitors; Angolan citizens may use only their national license.

 

Hotels near Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport

The new Dr. Agostinho Neto International Airport, opened in 2023 about 40-48 km from the centre of Luanda, replaced the old Quatro de Fevereiro, closed to commercial flights on 1 March 2026: for this reason no hotel is truly close to the runways, and any stay in the city means a 45-80 minute taxi transfer, using the T'Leva and Kubinga apps, or the TCUL public buses on a few dedicated routes. Those looking for the historic seafront and the embassy district head for Miramar; those travelling for work or who prefer a more modern area choose Talatona, south of the city, connected to the airport by a dedicated public bus line.
City centre

Miramar

About 48 km from the new Agostinho Neto airport: by taxi or with the T'Leva and Kubinga apps, the journey usually takes 45-60 minutes outside peak hours, and can exceed an hour in traffic. There is no direct public bus line to this district.

Best for: For those who want the historic seafront, restaurants and embassies, even at the cost of a long transfer from the new airport.

Pros
  • Hotel on the bay of Luanda, just steps from the Fortaleza de São Miguel
  • Restaurants, bars and diplomatic missions in the district within walking distance
Cons
  • No direct airport shuttle: you have to rely on a taxi or an app, with the fare to be agreed before the ride
  • The old Quatro de Fevereiro airport, much closer, has been closed to commercial flights since March 2026
See more hotels in this area
Neighbourhood

Talatona

The public operator TCUL runs the Talatona/Agostinho Neto Airport semi-express line, with services from 5 am to midnight; by taxi or with ride-hailing apps the journey is estimated at about 79 minutes by airport transfer websites.

Best for: Business trips and those who prefer the modern Talatona district, south of the city, with a dedicated bus connection to the airport.

Pros
  • Dedicated public bus line (TCUL) between Talatona and the new airport, an affordable alternative to taxis
  • Modern district with restaurants, bars and the Talatona convention centre just minutes away
Cons
  • Further from the historic centre and from the Ilha de Luanda than Miramar
  • The journey from the airport remains long: over an hour according to online transfer estimates
See more hotels in this area
 

Airport services

The airport offers essential services consistent with its role as Angola's main air gateway.

Shopping & Duty Free

A duty-free area offers a selection of international products and Angolan coffee, one of the country's historic export products.

Lounges & relaxation

A business lounge is available for business passengers, with access generally available by day-pass. The lounge offers business-standard amenities. Hours generally follow the flight schedules of the terminal.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas of the terminal, generally with a connection time limit. For a local SIM, the main national operators (Unitel and Movicel) have a counter in the airport: convenient if you don't want to search for them in the city.

Families & Children

Families receive basic accommodation, concentrated in the rest areas of the terminal.

Terminal guide

The new terminal, with a stated capacity of 15 million passengers annually and equipped to handle large aircraft such as the Airbus A380, is a modern facility built from scratch, unlike the previous city airport.

Customs and security may require extra time: for international flights, it is best to arrive 3 hours in advance.

From check-in to gate, the walk is generally 10–15 minutes.

Map of Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport

Map of Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. How do you get from Luanda airport to the city centre?

With official taxis or organised transfers; it's always advisable to avoid unauthorised drivers outside the terminal.

Q. Is it worth carrying local currency cash in Luanda?

Yes. The airport has currency exchange counters and ATMs, but the rates applied are generally less favourable than banks in the city: for larger amounts it's best to exchange only what's strictly necessary at the airport and the rest in Luanda.

Q. What is now Angola's main international airport?

Since 1 March 2026 it has been the new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ), about 40-47 km south-east of Luanda: the historic city airport, Quatro de Fevereiro, was permanently closed to commercial traffic on that date, after all international flights had already been transferred there from 19 October 2025.

Q. Is it worth arriving well ahead of time for an international flight from Luanda?

Yes, checks on some flights can take longer than expected: 3 hours ahead is generally recommended.

Flight board

Real-time status of arriving and departing flights

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