Smoking Areas at Angola Airports (NBJ)

English

Angola’s airport smoking infrastructure is outdoor-only. Luanda’s air traffic has moved to the new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) in Ícolo e Bengo, which began cargo operations in late 2023 and took over all commercial flights when the old Quatro de Fevereiro Airport (LAD) closed to passengers on 1 March 2026. NBJ has outdoor smoking areas, as does Lubango (SDD). Catumbela (CBT), the gateway for Benguela and Lobito, permits open-air landside smoking; the airport publishes no designated area.

Angola Airports Compared: Before and After Security

Before security, you can always smoke outside: at a designated smoking area where there is one, or outside the airport property, beyond the terminal kerb and car parks. After security, Yes means there is a smoking area past security and a dash means none is listed. Each airport’s page has the details.

Airport	Before security	After security
Catumbela (CBT)	Yes	–
Luanda (NBJ)	Yes	–
Luanda Quatro de Fevereiro (LAD)	Yes	–
Lubango (SDD)	Yes	–

For travellers, Angola’s airports primarily serve oil-industry traffic, regional African flights, and Portuguese-speaking transit (Lisbon, São Paulo).

The Major Airports

Dr. António Agostinho Neto International (NBJ). Luanda’s new main airport in Ícolo e Bengo, about 40 km southeast of the city, began cargo operations in late 2023 and took over all of Luanda’s commercial flights in early 2026. Modern terminal with outdoor smoking areas.

Quatro de Fevereiro International (LAD). Luanda’s long-standing former main airport, named for the start of the Angolan independence war (4 February 1961). It closed to commercial passenger flights on 1 March 2026 and is being repurposed for aircraft maintenance and aviation support.

Lubango Mukanka (SDD). Southern Angola. Outdoor smoking areas at the terminal.

Catumbela (CBT). Gateway for Benguela and Lobito on the central coast; rebuilt in 2012 with a modern terminal. Open-air, landside smoking is permitted; the airport publishes no designated area and lists no smoking facility after security.

Tips for Smokers at Angolan Airports

NBJ and SDD have outdoor smoking areas; CBT permits open-air landside smoking with no designated area published
Luanda’s coastal climate is warm and humid year-round
Portuguese-language signage primarily; English at major hubs

Last updated: October 24, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Angolan airports?

Yes — in open-air areas outside the terminals. Luanda’s flights now use the new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ), which has outdoor smoking areas. Lubango (SDD) and other regional airports follow the same outdoor pattern.

Where can I smoke at the new Luanda Airport (NBJ)?

Outside the terminal in the open air. Luanda’s commercial flights moved to the new Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) in early 2026, after the old Quatro de Fevereiro Airport (LAD) closed to passengers on 1 March 2026. Smoking at NBJ is outdoor-only.

Are there smoking areas at smaller Angolan airports?

Yes — Lubango (SDD) has outdoor smoking areas outside its terminal. Catumbela (CBT), the airport for Benguela and Lobito, permits open-air landside smoking; the airport publishes no designated area and lists no smoking facility after security.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes allowed at Angolan airports?

Yes — in the open air outside the terminals; the airports publish no separate vaping rule, so treat vapes like cigarettes and use the outdoor smoking areas only. Angola has limited specific regulation on e-cigarettes.

What should I expect at Angolan airports as a smoker?

Expect outdoor smoking areas outside the terminals; no smoking room after security is documented at NBJ, Lubango or Catumbela. Luanda’s coastal climate is warm and humid year-round. Portuguese is the official language, so signage will primarily be in Portuguese with English at major hubs.