Following the collapse of the country’s national carrier, the DRC government is expected to launch a new national airline in December which will effectively fly again.
Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka said on Friday, that the government will relaunch the project to create a new national airline called “Air Congo SA”.
Suminwa presented a note to the council of Ministers on Friday in the Capital Kinshasa.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Communication Channels and Disenclavement, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, revealed that, since September 13, 2024, discussions have been ongoing with the aim of reviving the national carrier.
The launch date has been set at Sunday, December 1 when the inaugural flight will be flagged off.
The government of DRC is partnering with Ethiopian Airline under the new company “Air Congo SA”.
Jean-Pierre Bemba revealed to the council of Ministers that the two shareholders, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Ethiopian Airlines group, are respectively 51% and 49%, for a total amount of USD 40 million.”
This new project has been established following the non renewal of the leasing contract between Kenya Airways and Congo Airways.
In 2021 Kenya Airways had leased two two Embraer E190 aircraft to DRC but has since refused to renew the leasing contract. Kenya has since recovered its two aircraft after the contract expired.
Congo Airways SA Fights to Retain IATA Approval
Reports from Kinshasa indicate that Congo Airways SA has secured a 90-day moratorium granted to it by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
“Congo Airways therefore maintains its air transport certificate (CTA) and its IATA approval,” said government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya.