Congo Airways, the Congolese national airline, is experiencing the greatest crisis of its existence. The company created in 2014 has only one plane left to cover the national territory. African destinations have been removed, domestic flights are experiencing significant disruptions between delays and cancellations.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi
At its creation, Congo Airways had raised a lot of hope. Open up a territory of 2 million 300 thousand km2 and conquer the African sky. The ambition was great, but the means did not follow. Launched with four aircraft, including two Airbus A320s, the fleet has dwindled over time. Even the various partnerships forged did not last. Kenya Airways, for example, prematurely terminated its leasing contract on its two planes from the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer “Embraer”.
Today, a new acting Director General has been appointed. Relaunch work has been announced. It will pass, according to the Minister of Transport, by the in-depth restructuring of this commercial company which continues to depend on the State. At the same time, the government is working on the launch of a second national company. It will be called Air Congo. A joint venture in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines. Seven planes are expected before July including 1 dreamliner, 3 Boeing 737 800 and 3 Dash 8.
The ambition is national, but also international. However, to attack European networks, it will be necessary to remove the country from the blacklist. An audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization is scheduled between July and August. Its outcome will be decisive.