Congo Airways studying B777 freighters

Kinshasa unveils Air Congo as second national carrier

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced the creation of a second national carrier, Air Congo, as a joint venture company with Ethiopian Airlines which will provide the new flag carrier with at least seven as yet undisclosed aircraft.

The announcement was made by DRC Transport Minister Chérubin Okende on official social media platforms. It follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the parties last month, according to which the DRC will own 51% of the new airline, with Ethiopian Airlines holding 49%.

“Back in the United Arab Emirates, I passed through Addis Ababa to give the President of the Republic’s strong message to our Ethiopian friends. We already have in the joint venture that we have envisaged, the name of the new company that we must create under the impetus of the President of the Republic, it will be Air Congo. And now, it is a question of doing everything to ensure that this project is carried out as soon as possible. We have no more time to waste. The Congolese...

Congo Airways wet-leases two E190s from Kenya Airways

Congo Airways (8Z, Kinshasa N'Djili) has wet-leased two E190s from Kenya Airways (KQ, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) as a first step in the implementation of the strategic partnership between the two carriers agreed upon in April 2021.

5Y-FFM (msn 19000431) and 5Y-FFL (msn 19000418) were ferried from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta to Kinshasa N'Djili on September 15 and 16, respectively. Both had been active across Kenya Airways' network through September 10-11. They have yet to be deployed into revenue service on behalf of Congo Airways, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows.

Kenya Airways said in a press statement the aircraft would be used to boost domestic frequencies within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Congo Airways confirmed to ch-aviation that the wet-lease contract was a long-term one and could possibly expand to three E190s.

"The Government has reduced fares on domestic routes. The demand became high and Congo Airways needs more capacity," Director (Cooperation and Cargo) Norbert Sengamali Lukukwa told ch-aviation.

The two wet-leased Embraer jets will join...

DRC, Ethiopian in talks to set up new Congolese carrier

Kinshasa N'dolo, DRC set to close for upgrade works