Air Congo

Air Congo S.A. is the flag carrier airline of the Democratic Republic of the Congo launched on 1 December 2024, with its hub at N'djili Airport in Kinshasa. The airline announced it would commence operations by serving domestic destinations. The inaugural flight occurred on 9 December 2024 from N'djili International Airport to Lubumbashi International Airport by the Boeing 737-800 9S-AOA leased from Ethiopian Airlines.[3][4] As with all other airlines based in the DRC the airline is banned from EU airspace. Air Congo also plans to operate into the Middle East and Europe albeit it's unlikely Air Congo will fly to the EU.

Destinations

Ultimately, Air Congo plans to deploy a fleet of eight Boeing 737 and two Boeing 787s to cover national, regional and international destinations: Paris, Brussels, Dubai, Johannesburg, Luanda and Dar es Salaam.

On 20 February 2026, Air Congo announced the start of operations to new international destinations; Cotonou, Douala, Johannesburg, and Kampala. On 22 March, the first international flight flew from Kinshasa - Johannesburg and back via Lubumbashi under flights 4H/ET82 and 4H/ET83.[10][11] On 28 March, Air Congo launched flights to Cotonou Cadjehoun via Douala International Airport under flights 4H/ET94 and 4H/ET95.

Fleet

As of December 2025, Air Congo operates the following aircraft:[12] Air Congo aims to operate a fleet of overall six aircraft within a year.[3]

Accidents and incidents

In December of 2025 passengers on an Air Congo 737-800 had to jump from the door since there was an absence of stairs and mobile equipment.[14]

See also

References

  1. Nelly Fualdes and Romain Gras. DRC: what we know about Air Congo, the future national flag 25 September 2024, retrieved 3 December 2024^
  2. Aerial : Air Congo launch in december 2024 Africa News Agency, 27 September 2024, retrieved 13 November 2024^
  3. Air Congo set for December launch Times Aerospace, 6 November 2024, retrieved 13 November 2024^
  4. Air Congo is born Airliner World February 2025 page 12^
  5. Air Congo's official Instagram www.instagram.com/, retrieved 2026-02-25^
  6. Envolez-vous vers de nouveaux horizons dès le 20 avril ! www.instagram.com, 2026-04-08, retrieved 2026-04-08^
  7. Air Congo/Ethiopian Airlines Outlines Planned Network From Dec 2024 Aeroroutes, 11 November 2024, retrieved 13 November 2024^
  8. Air Congo expands regional network amid ATR72 delays ch-aviation, retrieved 2026-03-08^
  9. Air Congo makes maiden landing in South Africa plans other trips to Tanzania from April 2026 The Tanzania Times, 2026-03-22, retrieved 2026-03-23^
  10. Air Congo Touches Down at OR Tambo: New Dawn for SA-DRC Connectivity 2026-03-23, retrieved 2026-03-23^
  11. cajnews. Air Congo makes landmark flight to South Africa - CAJ News Africa 2026-03-23, retrieved 2026-03-23^
  12. Global Airline Guide 2025 - Air Congo Airliner World, September 2025^
  13. Lewis Harper. Ethiopian to lease two ATRs for Air Congo as it builds MRO capabilities Flight Global, retrieved 2025-12-10^
  14. Joanna Bailey. Air Congo passengers had to jump from the door of a Boeing 737 AGN, 2025-12-19, retrieved 2026-01-10^