Angola's Minister of Transport, Ricardo Viegas Abreu, canceled the purchase of six new Q400s by Air Connection Express, as the government did not want to commit US$180 million to mostly serve interests of private entities.

The public-private partnership airline consortium, aimed at granting domestic flights in the country, was created by the government of former President of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos.

In May 2018, Bombardier signed a firm purchase agreement for six new Q400s with African Aero Trading on behalf of the consortium forming Air Connection Express (Angola) — the new regional feeder of TAAG launching in 1H 2019.

The firm order is valued at approximately US$198 million, based on list prices, with delivery of four aircraft expected in 2019 and two in 2020.