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.
Under this framework, the upcoming Kinshasa-Brussels route will be operated using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner fully supplied, crewed, and maintained by Ethiopian Airlines. Because the aircraft and operational staff fly under Ethiopian’s highly rated safety certification, the flights can legally land in Belgium while complying with European civil aviation regulations.
Breaking the Brussels Airlines Monopoly
The launch of these flights introduces long-overdue competition to a highly profitable and culturally significant corridor. For recent years, Brussels Airlines has enjoyed a lucrative monopoly on direct, nonstop travel between Belgium and its former colony.
While alternative multi-stop connectivity exists—primarily via Air France through Paris or Ethiopian Airlines through Addis Ababa—Air Congo’s five weekly nonstop frequencies will provide travelers with a direct alternative, which is expected to recalibrate ticket pricing and capacity dynamics on the route.
Long-Haul Expansion Targets
According to ch-aviation data, Air Congo CEO Mesfin Biru previously indicated that the airline’s long-haul blueprint relies on a pair of wet-leased Boeing 787-8s. Following the mid-summer Brussels rollout, the carrier has finalized its sights on two major international markets:
- Paris (CDG)
- Dubai International (DXB)
The Joint-Venture Fleet Strategy
Air Congo was established as a joint venture, with the DRC government holding a controlling 51% stake and Ethiopian Airlines holding the remaining 49%. Beyond equity, Ethiopian serves as the critical operational engine of the startup, directing day-to-day management, training services, and maintenance oversight.
The addition of the intercontinental Dreamliner arrives alongside a steady buildup of the carrier’s regional and domestic fleet. Just last month on May 21, Air Congo took delivery of its second ATR 72-600 turboprop from Ethiopian Airlines. This newly integrated aircraft has already been deployed across 11 domestic hubs, as well as select regional capitals like Libreville and Lomé.
Air Congo Current Fleet Breakdown (June 2026)
| Aircraft Type | Units in Service | Sourcing Strategy | Primary Deployment |
| Boeing 787-8 | 1 (1 pending) | Wet-leased from Ethiopian Airlines | Upcoming Brussels / Long-Haul |
| Boeing 737-800 | 3 | Leased via Ethiopian / SMBC Capital | Regional Trunk Routes (e.g., Johannesburg) |
| ATR 72-600 | 2 | Dry-leased from Abelo via Ethiopian | Domestic Network & Feeder Routes |
| Total Active Fleet | 6 | — | — |
Industry Context: This expansion underscores Ethiopian Airlines’ highly successful “multi-hub strategy” across the continent. By replicating this blueprint with regional carriers in ASKY Airlines (Togo), Malawi Airlines, and Zambia Airways, Ethiopian continues to aggressively centralize African aviation under a shared, high-standard operational network.
