On November 4, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew confirmed the launch of Air Congo, a new joint venture airline in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the latest addition to Ethiopian’s network of African partnerships. Speaking to African Aerospace at the delivery ceremony for Ethiopian’s first Airbus A350-1000, Tasew shared insights into this strategic expansion, which adds to Ethiopian’s existing partnerships with carriers such as ASKY Airlines in Togo, Zambia Airways, and Malawi Airlines. Ethiopian will hold a 49% stake in Air Congo, while the DRC government will retain majority ownership.
According to Tasew, the initial setup of Air Congo was a considerable challenge due to limited aircraft availability. To expedite operations, Ethiopian allocated two of its own aircraft to the venture, one of which is currently undergoing a logo and livery redesign. Air Congo plans to focus on domestic routes initially, leveraging DRC’s extensive internal network. Tasew explained, “For the first six months, it will be domestic…and after six months, we will add two more airplanes.” By next year, Air Congo’s fleet is expected to reach six Boeing 737-800s, with routes expanding to select neighboring countries.
Air Congo will face competition in a challenging market, where local airlines have struggled with sustainability. Congo Airways, the nation’s existing carrier, resumed flights in late 2023 following a period of grounding and operational challenges. Ethiopian Airlines has a strong track record of assessing and supporting joint ventures in Africa, carefully evaluating potential partnerships and business plans before proceeding. Tasew emphasized Ethiopian’s rigorous assessment approach, stating, “We do our due diligence and if the result of the assessment shows it is good to invest in that airline, we go ahead.”
With Ethiopian’s operational and strategic support, Air Congo aims to build a sustainable, long-term presence in the Congolese aviation market, offering improved connectivity across the region and adding to Ethiopian’s growing influence in African aviation.
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