Congo Airways Sets Sights on Fleet Expansion and Route Diversification in 2024
Congo Airways, the national airline of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is embarking on an ambitious recovery and expansion plan for 2024, as outlined by CEO José Lueya Dubier. The airline aims to significantly enhance its service offerings, focusing on both intercontinental and regional flights, through the acquisition of new aircraft and the reopening of key routes.
In a detailed plan presented during a news conference, Dubier announced negotiations for acquiring one Boeing 777 to service long-haul routes to the United Arab Emirates and Europe, alongside three Airbus A320-200 aircraft intended to bolster the airline’s regional network in Africa. This strategic move is backed by financing from an undisclosed Congolese bank, demonstrating a strong commitment to revitalize the airline.
Congo Airways’ comprehensive revival strategy encompasses three key phases: initiating operations with wet-leased aircraft, transitioning to lease-purchase agreements, and culminating in direct purchases of aircraft. This approach is designed to stabilize the airline’s operations and position it for sustainable growth.
The initiative comes on the heels of the airline’s announcement earlier this year about plans to dry-lease three Embraer E190s and a Boeing 777-200ER in the first quarter of 2024. These plans were put into motion following a challenging period late last year when the airline faced aircraft shortages and financial constraints, leading to a temporary grounding. The government’s intervention with USD3.8 million in funding facilitated the wet leasing of three Boeing 737-800s, enabling the airline to resume operations and address salary delays.
Despite these efforts, Congo Airways continues to navigate operational challenges, including an inactive in-house fleet comprising one DHC-8-Q400 undergoing maintenance, another Dash 8-Q400 reportedly beyond repair, and two A320-200s sidelined due to engine issues. CEO Dubier emphasized the airline’s ongoing efforts to clear its debts and secure additional funding to fully realize its expansion ambitions.
The airline’s regional route expansion targets include Douala, Lagos, Dakar Blaise Diagne International, Bamako, and destinations in South Africa, with an intercontinental focus on Dubai International. Additionally, Congo Airways is engaging with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to obtain Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization, aiming for a potential inaugural flight to Brussels on June 30, 2024, despite existing EU bans on DRC-certified carriers.
Dubier expressed optimism about the airline’s future, citing significant compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and successful completion of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) over the past three years. Congo Airways’ strategic efforts to rebuild its fleet and diversify its route portfolio signal a hopeful trajectory for enhanced connectivity and service reliability for passengers traveling to, from, and within the Democratic Republic of Congo.