Air Congo to launch Kinshasa–Brussels route, Marking DRC’s return to long-haul Aviation

The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to re-enter international long-haul aviation with a new direct route between Kinshasa and Brussels, scheduled to begin in July 2026. The service will be operated through a partnership involving Air Congo and Ethiopian Airlines.

The route is both symbolic and strategic, restoring a key air link between the DRC and Europe while supporting economic, political, and diaspora connectivity. Authorities view it as a step toward re-establishing the country’s presence in global aviation after years of limited long-haul operations.

To support this expansion, the domestic network is being strengthened with the addition of two ATR 72-600 aircraft. This reflects a strategy of building internal connectivity as a foundation for sustainable international growth.

The partnership with Ethiopian Airlines is central to the plan, providing operational expertise and credibility in safety and reliability standards. The initiative, backed at senior government level, highlights a broader effort to rebuild aviation capacity and position air transport as a tool of national development and international integration.

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