10/20/2015: Flag Carrier Congo Airways Begins Operations

DALLAS — Today, in 2015, the new flag carrier of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Congo Airways (8Z), commenced operations.

The airline was created in 2014 after the country decided to re-establish a national airline. This followed the collapse of Lignes Aériennes Congolaises (LAC)-Congolese Airlines (4V) in 2013. Ownership of the company is divided between the country's government, local and foreign investors, and the airline's employees.

Operations began with a pair of Airbus A320ceos, sourced from Alitalia (AZ). The airline initially served eight domestic destinations from its Kinshasa N'djili Airport (FIH) base. The airline also operates in Johannesburg (JNB), South Africa, and Douala (DLA), Cameroon.

Embraer Order, Rebirth

In December 2019, a US$194.4m order was placed with Embraer for two E175s, with options on a further two. 8Z planned for these aircraft to eventually replace its pair of de Havilland Canada DHC-8-Q400s and allow for future expansion.

However, in June 2020, it was announced that the order would be swapped for two brand-new E190-E2s. The move, it was said, would allow the airline to expand on routes previously served by struggling competitor South African Airways (SA). The aircraft, due for delivery in May 2022, will be fitted with 96 seats, including 12 in business class.

In an unusual move, the country's Transport Ministry announced in 2022 that a new airline would be launched in the country, known as Air Congo. The ministry stated that the new company "will be born in the coming days." Ethiopian Airlines (ET) will control 49% of shares and provide the new start-up with seven aircraft.

However, in November 2023, 8Z resumed flying with two Boeing 737-800s leased from Klasjet on a wet-lease basis.

In February 2024, Minister Marc Ekila of Transport and Communications revealed that four additional aircraft—a third Boeing 737-800 and three Embraer E190s—are planned to join the fleet following the "rebirth" plans of 8Z.

At the time, Patrick Muyaya, a spokesman for the Congolese government, went further and said that shortly for long-haul flights 8Z might get a Boeing 777-200ER.