DR Congo Partners with Ethiopian Airlines to Launch National Carrier

President Félix Tshisekedi officially inaugurated the first flight of Air Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s new national airline, on Tuesday. The airline is a joint venture between the DR Congo government, holding a 51 percent stake, and Ethiopian Airlines, with a 49 percent share.

Air Congo will initially operate with two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, connecting key Congolese cities, including Lubumbashi, Goma, Kisangani, Kolwezi, Kalemie, and Mbujimayi.

At the launch event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba, announced plans to expand the airline’s fleet. Within the next year, Air Congo intends to acquire four additional Boeing 737-800s, followed by two more aircraft over the subsequent two years.

The airline’s management team emphasized the numerous benefits of this collaboration, including the provision of reliable domestic flights, enhanced training for aviation personnel, improved operational management, upgrades to airport infrastructure, and the development of inter-provincial cargo services.

Ethiopian Airlines CEO, Mesfin Tasew, hailed the launch as a “historic milestone” for DR Congo’s aviation industry. He highlighted the partnership’s potential to revolutionize air travel within the country.

“Our collaboration to establish Air Congo demonstrates our commitment to liberalizing the aviation market, transferring technical and managerial expertise, training thousands of Congolese aviation professionals, fostering a culture of disciplined management, and supporting the growth of the aviation sector in DR Congo,” said Tasew.

The initiative aligns with Ethiopian Airlines’ Vision 2035 strategy, which aims to establish multiple hubs across Africa. Tasew noted that the partnership with Air Congo complements Ethiopian Airlines’ existing joint ventures with ASKY Airlines in Lomé, Malawi Airlines in Lilongwe, and Zambia Airways in Lusaka.

This new venture marks a significant step forward for DR Congo, promising to enhance connectivity, boost economic development, and strengthen the country’s position in the regional aviation landscape.