Congo Airways S.A. is the state-owned flag carrier airline of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). With a paid-up capital of US$90 million, it started operations on 20 October 2015. , Congo Airways, as all other airlines with an AOC issued in the DRC, is banned from flying into the EU.
History
Congo Airways was created on 15 August 2014 at the government's instigation, and made its first flight on 20 October 2015 using two Airbus A320 aircraft acquired from Alitalia. The company initially served Congolese destinations from its base at N'djili Airport in Kinshasa, and planned to increase its fleet and serve regional and international markets. Air France Consulting provided technical assistance to the airline. One of the airline's aircraft was impounded in Dublin for a few weeks in September 2015 where it was to be painted.
On 10 December 2019, Congo Airways signed a $194.4 million deal to acquire two E175 jets from Embraer. The jets were expected to be delivered in Q4 2020. On 26 May 2020, Congo Airways have converted the firm order made in December 2019 for two E175 aircraft, with purchase rights for two more, into a firm order for two E190-E2 jets, with purchase rights for a further two. The jets are expected to be delivered in Q2 2022. In September 2021, the airline also executed a wet lease of two Embraer 190 aircraft for two years from Kenya Airways.
In July 2022, Embraer canceled the orders for E2 jets from Congo Airways.
Congo Airways had no active aircraft in July of 2024 and made a recovery plan in November of 2024. The fleet renewal included 3 A320s models also in consideration included the A330 and E 190. Congo Airways has a plan to relaunch in the first quarter of 2026.
In 2025, there was chronic mismanagement exposed of the status of the airline and no aircraft have been delivered to Congo Airways. The airline missed its March 2026 deadline for launch. This was after the CNSS could not secure the lease which led the money not to be delivered to Congo Airways.
Corporate affairs
Ownership The airline is 100% state-controlled, being owned by the Government of the DRC. Shareholders are reported to be various government agencies: the Intermodal Freight Management Office (OGEFREM), the National Social Security Institute (INSS), the General of Quarries and Mines (Gécamines), the Congolese Transport and Ports Society (SCTP), the Industry Promotion Fund (FPI) and the Airway Authority (RVA).
Business trends Congo Airways does not appear to have published its accounts; also, in an audit dated 28 May 2021 there were detailed allegations that embezzlement and over-invoicing totalling several million dollars had taken place at Congo Airways over recent years. Available figures (largely from AFRAA reports, which contain inconsistencies) are shown below (for years ending 31 December): 20162017201820192020 Turnover (US$m)40 Net profit Number of employees (at year end)365326430 Number of passengers (000s)210358359 Passenger load factor (%)7162 Number of aircraft (at year end)46444 Notes/sources
Destinations , the company served the Lubumbashi–Kinshasa sector prior to suspending operations. In May 2018, the airline commenced flights to Douala and Johannesburg-OR Tambo Airport. CountryCityAirportNotesRefsCameroonDoualaDouala International AirportDemocratic Republic of CongoGemenaGemena AirportGomaGoma International AirportKanangaKananga AirportKinduKindu AirportKinshasaN'djili International AirportKisanganiKisangani Bangoka International AirportLubumbashiLubumbashi International AirportMbandakaMbandaka AirportMbuji-MayiMbuji-Mayi AirportMoandaMuanda AirportSouth AfricaJohannesburgO. R. Tambo International Airport
Codeshare agreements Kenya Airways
Fleet Current fleet
, Congo Airways operates the following aircraft:
+ Congo Airways fleetAircraftIn serviceOrdersPassengersNotesCYTotalAirbus A3201—10150160De Havilland Canada DHC-8-Q4001—56469Embraer 1901—Total 3 Former fleet , Congo Airways operated 2 Airbus A320 and 2 De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400.
See also Air Congo Transport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
References
External links