Air Congo plans nonstop Kinshasa-Paris flights

Air Congo is set to expand its European network with the launch of nonstop flights between Kinshasa and Paris, just weeks after inaugurating its first intercontinental route to Brussels.

The airline confirmed the upcoming service on its official X account, describing the route as one that will “bring people, families and opportunities closer together.” However, it has not yet revealed a launch date, flight schedule, fares, aircraft type, or whether flights will operate to Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly.

The Paris service will become Air Congo’s second European destination following the launch of Kinshasa-Brussels flights on July 1, 2026. That route operates five times a week and marked the airline’s entry into the long-haul market, competing with established carriers including Brussels Airlines and Air France.

The Brussels route is operated with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner supplied by Ethiopian Airlines under an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) agreement. Ethiopian Airlines owns a 49% stake in Air Congo and provides aircraft, flight crews and operational support, while Air Congo markets the flights under its own brand.

Paris has long been identified as one of Air Congo’s priority long-haul markets, alongside Dubai, as the airline accelerates its international expansion. The Kinshasa-Paris route, spanning approximately 6,004 kilometers, is currently served nonstop by Air France between Kinshasa N’Djili International Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

Founded in 2024, Air Congo began commercial operations later that year with a focus on rebuilding domestic air connectivity across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The airline is majority-owned by the Congolese government (51%), with Ethiopian Airlines holding the remaining 49% and providing strategic expertise, aircraft and technical support.

Alongside its domestic growth, Air Congo has rapidly expanded across Africa. Since March 2026, it has launched services to Johannesburg, Entebbe, Cotonou, Douala and Dar es Salaam, while continuing to strengthen its domestic network of more than 14 destinations, including Lubumbashi, Goma, Kisangani and Kolwezi. Additional ATR 72-600 turboprops are expected to further improve connectivity to underserved regional cities.

The airline’s broader strategy is to position Kinshasa N’Djili International Airport as a leading Central African aviation hub, complementing established gateways such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Johannesburg.

The planned Paris route is another milestone in that strategy, reinforcing Air Congo’s ambition to reconnect the Democratic Republic of the Congo with major international markets while restoring the country’s presence on the global aviation map.