Cuangar Old Airport

Replacement by a new, modern facility. The old airport (AO-0009) was a rudimentary, unpaved dirt airstrip, likely constructed during the Portuguese colonial era and heavily used for military purposes. It was deemed inadequate for post-war development and could not safely handle modern civilian aircraft. As part of a nationwide infrastructure modernization program following the end of the Angolan Civil War, the Angolan government constructed the new Cuangar Airport approximately 7 km to the northeast with a paved runway and updated facilities, making the old airstrip redundant.

The site is abandoned and non-operational. Satellite imagery clearly shows the faint outline of the former dirt runway parallel to the Cubango River. The strip is unmaintained, overgrown with vegetation, and crossed by informal vehicle tracks. There is no remaining aviation infrastructure, such as buildings or hangars. The land is unused and is slowly being reclaimed by the natural landscape, serving as a historical relic of the region's conflict-ridden past.

The airport was a strategically vital military airstrip during the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) and the associated South African Border War. Its location directly on the Cubango River, which forms the border with Namibia (then South-West Africa), made it a critical forward operating base for the People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) and their Cuban allies. The airstrip was essential for logistical operations, including the transport of troops, resupply of ammunition and food, and medical evacuations (casevac). It played a significant role during major campaigns in the late 1980s, such as the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale and related operations, serving as a key logistical hub in the contested region.

Virtually zero. There are no known plans, discussions, or logical reasons to reopen the old airport. All aviation needs for the municipality of Cuangar and the surrounding region are fully met by the modern Cuangar Airport (FNCG), which was specifically built to replace this obsolete facility. The old site is considered a historical landmark rather than a viable aviation asset.