Air Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s national carrier, has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-800 as part of a fleet expansion backed by its strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, underscoring ambitions to strengthen regional and international connectivity.
The aircraft, arriving from Addis Ababa, was received at N’djili International Airport in Kinshasa by Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba, alongside Air Congo’s chief executive, Mesfin Biru Weldegeorgis, representatives of the Ministry of Portfolio and members of the airline’s board.
“With a new Boeing 737 joining our fleet, Air Congo is now ready to surpass your expectations. Book your next journey and let us take care of every detail,” the airline said on X.
The addition brings Air Congo’s fleet to three aircraft and marks a new phase of expansion. The carrier plans to open routes to Johannesburg, Cotonou, Douala, Entebbe, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Lagos, aiming to improve Congo’s regional connectivity and solidify its position in the African market.
The airline operates under a public-private partnership in which the Congolese government holds 51 percent and Ethiopian Airlines 49 percent. Founded in 2024, Air Congo began operations on Dec. 1, 2024, and currently serves five domestic cities outside Kinshasa.
“With the addition of a third aircraft, the airline is embarking on further expansion, with plans to begin flights to additional regional and international destinations,” the company said on its website, adding that international services to Paris, Brussels and Johannesburg are expected to be launched “in the near future.”
According to aviation site WestJet, the Boeing 737-800 is a widely used, fuel-efficient narrow-body aircraft and the best-selling model of the 737 Next Generation family. Introduced in 1994, it can carry between 162 and 189 passengers, has a range of about 5,765 kilometers and is the main competitor to the Airbus A320, with more than 4,900 units delivered worldwide.
Elisha IRAGI for M&B Magazine
