The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched a new airline. Congo Airways operated two A320 launch flights from Kinshasa's Ndjili international airport to Goma via Kisangani and to Lubumbashi. The launch of Congo Airways has been describe d as a “symbol of the economic and financial independence of the DRC" by Transport Minister Justin Kalumba.
It has not be confirmed when commercial services will commence but they are expected to begin later this month. Congo Airways will initially fly to eight towns which will be expanded to 14 after three years.
The two A320s were bought second-hand from Italy's Alitalia for around $50 million, according to local media reports. One of these aircraft was impounded in Ireland following legal proceedings launched by DRC creditors, but was finally delivered to Kinshasa on September 26.