President Félix Tshisekedi inaugurated the inaugural flight of Air Congo on Tuesday at Ndjili International Airport in Kinshasa. The new national airline is the result of a strategic partnership, with the DRC owning 51 percent of the shares and Ethiopian Airlines holding the remaining 49 percent.
For its initial phase, Air Congo will operate two Boeing 737-800s, servicing major Congolese cities, including Lubumbashi, Goma, Kisangani, Kolwezi, Kalemie, and Mbujimayi.
During the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Jean-Pierre Bemba outlined the airline’s aspirations. “Air Congo plans to expand its fleet with four additional Boeing 737-800s within the next year, and will acquire two more aircraft of the same type in the following two years,” he announced.
The management team of Air Congo emphasized the advantages of this joint venture, such as offering regular, secure, and timely domestic flights, training for flight crews, implementing sound management practices, enhancing airport facilities, and developing inter-provincial cargo services.
Additionally, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines reaffirmed his commitment to the partnership, citing the success of similar collaborations in Togo and Malawi. “Our partnerships with Togo and Malawi have yielded impressive results and contribute to the growth of the African aviation industry,” he assured President Tshisekedi.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA