Air Congo returns to Europe

Air Congo has resumed flights between Kinshasa and Brussels, marking the return of a Congolese airline to European skies after more than 25 years. The relaunch comes despite the Democratic Republic of the Congo remaining on the European Union’s aviation safety blacklist, which prohibits Congolese airlines from operating within EU airspace. Air Congo has overcome this restriction through a wet lease agreement with Ethiopian Airlines.

Under the arrangement, the airline operates a Boeing 787 supplied by Ethiopian Airlines, complete with its crew, maintenance, and insurance. Since Ethiopian Airlines is not subject to the EU’s safety restrictions, the flights can legally operate between Kinshasa and Brussels.

According to the Congolese Ministry of Transport, the agreement is intended as a temporary solution while the country’s aviation sector undergoes reforms to meet international safety standards and eventually secure removal from the EU blacklist.

Beyond Brussels, Air Congo has also announced plans to expand its international network with future services to Paris and Dubai, although no launch dates have been confirmed.

The planned Dubai route, however, could face additional challenges. In June 2026, the United Arab Emirates introduced new travel restrictions affecting passengers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan as part of strengthened measures to prevent the spread of Ebola.

The restrictions include the suspension of new visas for nationals of the three countries, as well as tighter entry requirements for travelers arriving directly from, or transiting through, those countries.

Despite these hurdles, the reopening of the Brussels route marks an important milestone for Air Congo as it seeks to rebuild the country’s international air connectivity and expand its presence on long-haul routes.