Ethiopia and DRC to launch new airline
Ethiopian Airlines, the largest aviation group in Africa and certified four-star global airline by Skytrax, has announced a partnership with the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to launch Air Congo. The DRC government will hold a 51% majority stake, while Ethiopian Airlines will maintain a 49% share and manage the new airline.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew stressed the significance of the venture, stating, “The launch of Air Congo is a significant step in our strategic plan to collaborate with African governments and enhance air transport across the continent.” He noted that the partnership aims to improve connectivity for the DRC and Central Africa, fostering investment, trade, and tourism, which will contribute to regional socio-economic growth.
Air Congo has launched operations within the DRC, serving seven domestic airports with two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, Aerospace Global News reported on Wednesday. The airline offers daily flights from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi, Goma, Kisangani, and Mbuji-Mayi, with additional routes to Kalemie and Kolwezi operating several times a week.
“The new ‘Air Congo’ is not only a new airline, but also a new breath for the Congolese air sector,” Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, the DRC’s deputy prime minister of transportation, stated.
The minister believes that “in less than a year, the fleet will have 6 Boeing 737-800s. And at the beginning of the second year, Air Congo plans to acquire two more 737-800s as well as Dream 787 liners, making a total of 10 aircraft.”
The initiative aligns with Ethiopian Airlines’ Vision 2035 strategy, aimed at establishing multiple hubs across Africa, complementing existing partnerships with ASKY Airlines, Malawi Airlines, and Zambia Airways.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced plans for Ethiopia to construct Africa’s largest airport in Addis Ababa, designed to accommodate nearly 130 million passengers annually. He also revealed that Ethiopian Airlines has ordered 124 new aircraft as part of its modernization efforts.
