Congo Airways, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national airline, took delivery on January 7, 2026, of a new Embraer E-190 aircraft with a capacity of 90 passengers at Kinshasa’s N’djili International Airport, as it moves to gradually resume operations suspended since April 2025.
The aircraft was acquired through a partnership between Congo Airways and the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), the state-owned carrier said.
“The delivery of this aircraft marks the resumption of Congo Airways’ activities,” said Jean-Bertrand Ewanga, chairman of the airline’s board, praising what he described as “the will of the president of the Republic” Felix Tshisekedi to revive the company, which he called a tool for “strengthening national unity.”
Congo Airways halted operations on April 12, 2025, after the expiration of wet-lease contracts with Lithuanian firm KlasJet. The airline’s own fleet has remained grounded because of technical issues, including shortages of engines and maintenance challenges.
In September 2024, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Civil Aviation Authority granted a 90-day moratorium to prevent the loss of the airline’s air operator certificate and IATA accreditation.
Appointed in January 2025, the new chief executive, Alexandre Tshikala Mukendi, has been tasked with steering the airline’s turnaround. A recovery plan presented later that month the acquisition of three Airbus A320 aircraft, a reorganization of governance, and financial backing from the government and the CNSS, according to Radio Okapi.
M&B