Air Congo is set to break a years-long drought for Congolese carriers in Europe. Beginning July 1, 2026, the startup flag carrier will launch five weekly direct flights connecting Kinshasa N’Djili International Airport (FIH) to Brussels National Airport (BRU).
The new route marks a milestone for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) aviation sector, achieved through a strategic partnership with its minority shareholder, Ethiopian Airlines. By leveraging a wet-lease arrangement, Air Congo will successfully navigate the stringent safety bans that have kept DRC-certified airlines grounded in European skies for nearly two decades.
Overcoming the EU Air Safety Blacklist
For years, airlines certified in the DRC have been barred from entering European Union airspace due to systemic safety oversight concerns raised by the EU Air Safety Committee. To bypass this regulatory wall, Air Congo is utilizing an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) wet-lease agreement.
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