Ethiopian Airlines announced today that it has partnered with the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to launch a new airline, with the government of the DRC holding a 51% majority stake, while Ethiopian Airlines is holding a 49% share and overseeing the operations of the new air carrier.
The new carrier, Air Congo, has commenced its operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, providing services to seven domestic airports. The airline operates daily flights from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi, Goma, Kisangani, and Mbuji-Mayi, while also offering several weekly flights to Kalemie and Kolwezi.
According to Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, the Deputy Prime Minister of Transportation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the newly established Air Congo represents not merely the inception of a new airline, but also a revitalization of the Congolese aviation industry.
The minister added that within a year, the Air Congo fleet will expand to include six Boeing 737-800s. Furthermore, at the onset of the second year, the carrier intends to acquire two additional 737-800s along with Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet.
Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group said: “The establishment of Air Congo represents a crucial advancement in our strategic objective to partner with African governments and improve air travel throughout the continent.”
The partnership is designed to enhance connectivity within the DRC and Central Africa, thereby promoting investment, trade, and tourism, which will ultimately support regional socio-economic development, he added.
Latest development is in sync with Ethiopian Airlines’ Vision 2035 strategy, which seeks to create several hubs throughout Africa, thereby enhancing current collaborations with ASKY Airlines, Malawi Airlines, and Zambia Airways.
In the meantime Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has recently unveiled a proposal for the construction of Africa’s largest airport in Addis Ababa, with a capacity to serve approximately 130 million passengers each year. Additionally, he disclosed that Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for 124 new aircraft as part of its initiative to modernize its fleet.
