By Eduardo Vessoni
Southern Africa has never been so far from Brazil as it is today. Since SAA (South African Airways) and Latam stopped operating the direct flight between São Paulo and Johannesburg in the last two years, arriving in southern Africa means facing a long journey.
Until then, disembark on the O.R. Tambo, the only gateway for Brazilians to South Africa (and all the rest of the south of the continent), consisted of a direct flight lasting about 10 hours to Johannesburg.
To fill the gap, Taag (www.taag.com) has turned its eyes to the Brazilian market with a new route option.
Based in the capital of Angola, on the west coast of the continent, this company currently has three weekly flights on the São Paulo – Luanda route and promises two more flight options by the end of this year, between November and December.
Until then, the approximately 8:15 hour stretch is offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In the opposite direction, the trip takes place on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“We have always been a company of Angolans for Angolans and now we want to change that. Angola is still seen as a corporate destination”, says Lisa Mota Pinto, executive administrator of Taag.
Traditionally, the country is a destination for Brazilians on business, especially national professionals working in the oil sector.
STOP A BIT, REST A BIT
Today, for example, to reach Cape Town, the most tourist destination for Brazilians in South Africa, a passenger from São Paulo needs to fly to Europe, in airports such as London, England , or Frankfurt, Germany, whose flights take no less than 11 hours.
Once in Europe, you still have to take another flight, crossing Africa from north to south, literally.
“When [Brazilian] consumers think of Africa, they think of going to Europe or even the Middle East, but they don’t remember that we are so close. This happens because for many years we [from Taag] have positioned ourselves like this”, says Lisa.
With the fame of the companies of Arab origin in Brazil, in the last decade, destinations such as Dubai and Doha have become another alternative for those traveling to the South African region.
However, it is necessary to remember that a Brazilian has to fly an average of 14 hours to the Middle East to then board another flight to Cape Town, a trip that takes about 10 hours.
ANOTHER EVEN LONGER WAY
The third option, even more inappropriate, is to go to the United States, which requires visas from Brazilians, and then face another leg to Africa.
More than promoting tourism in Angola, a country still associated with a high level of violence and high costs, Taag wants to reinforce its connectivity with better-structured neighboring tourist destinations.
Lisa recalls, for example, connections to countries like South Africa itself, as well as neighboring Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the latter two known for their access to Victoria Falls.
At the press conference in which the report was present, in August, Lisa and CEO Eduardo Soria informed that the Angolan airline currently has a tariff agreement with Latam, known as SPA (Special Prorate Agreements) and is under negotiation with other national airlines.
A NOVELTY FOR 2023
After the article had already been published, Latam announced, through a press release, that it will resume the Guarulhos – Johannesburg route with three weekly flights from July 2023. The journey is expected to last 9 hours.
COMPARE FLIGHTS*
Via Middle East
For airlines such as Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar (Doha) and Turkish (Istanbul), the journey takes between 27 and 32 hours, including an aircraft change at the first stop and a waiting time of 4 hours, in Doha, at 8:35 am in Istanbul. Not to mention the other 9:45 hours between the region and Cape Town, practically the equivalent of the old São Paulo-Johannesburg route.
Minimum amount: R$6,542
Via Europe
The trip can be even more tiring. There are few companies that can take a Brazilian to Cape Town in less than 25 hours.
Via London, it takes no less than 38 hours of travel by British Airways, including a wait at London Heathrow Airport that can take up to 16 hours.
By Iberia, it takes almost 40 hours, considering the plane changes in Madrid and Doha, Qatar.
And through France, with Air France connections in Paris and Amsterdam, a Brazilian does not arrive in less than 26 hours.
Minimum amount: R$13,205
Via USA
Without a doubt, it is the least recommended option, not only because of the visa requirement, but also because of the long duration of the trip, such as the terrible 54 hours, via Chicago, passing through destinations such as New York and Frankfurt.
It is also worth remembering that many of the US companies usually offer the São Paulo – Cape Town route in partnership with airlines that already operate in Brazil.
Minimum amount: R$9,672
Via Angola
Via Taag, the journey between Guarulhos and Cape Town lasts 14h45m, including an 8h15m flight to Luanda and another three hours of waiting in the Angolan capital. The Luanda – Cape Town section is operated daily and lasts 2h30.
Minimum amount: R$12,227
* For this research, a trip from Guarulhos (SP) to Cape Town, South Africa was considered.
** Values refer to the quote made at the end of August for a round trip, tax-free, flying in Economy class, in October 2022.
*** sources: Decolar, Kayak, Skyscanner and Taag
DO BRAZILIANS NEED A VISA?
Yes. The application for a tourist visa can be made in person at the Consulate of Angola, in São Paulo, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9 am to noon.
According to the website www.consuladogeraldeangolasp.net, it is necessary to forward documents such as a completed form with a notarized signature, a visa request letter or invitation letter signed by the host in Angola and proof of means of subsistence in the country, such as income or bank statement.
The long list of documents also includes copies of the passport, RG and CPF, and proof of residence, the international vaccination card, ticket and hotel reservations, and a criminal record certificate.
The service costs around R$70.
On the SME website (www.sme.gov.ao), the government service for migrants and foreigners, there is the possibility of applying for a visa online.
With information from UOL