Norbert Sengamali, the Sales and Marketing Director of Congo Airways (8Z, Kinshasa N'Djili), has outlined the carrier's proposed expansion plans insofar as regional and international operations are concerned.
Launched in October last year, the state-backed carrier operates a pair of A320-200s on flights connecting Kinshasa N'Djili with Gemena, Kisangani, Lubumbashi, Kananga, Goma, Kindu, Mbandaka, and Mbuji Mayi domestically. Service to more remote areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo such as Beni and Buta Zega is also planned with the upcoming arrival of its first two Dash 8-400s.
Outlining Congo Airways' medium- and long-term expansion plans, Sengamali told African Aerospace that the carrier's maiden regional destinations would be Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, Luanda 4 De Fevereiro, and Pointe Noire. Towards the end of this year, a further two A320-200s will arrive thereby allowing for the roll out of services to Addis Ababa International in Ethiopia, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta in Kenya, Lagos in Nigeria, and Abidjan in Cote d'Ivoire.
"In 2018, we want to go intercontinental. We are looking at wide-bodies," he said adding that Dubai International and Guangzhou were currently being looked at.
Air France Consulting is providing technical assistance to the Congolese carrier.
