Lubumbashi-based Korongo Airlines (ZC), partly owned by Brussels Airlines (SN) parent SN Airholding, is expected to begin operations in April, several years after its projected launch.
ZC is a joint venture between SN Airholding and Groupe George Forrest International (GFI). The Belgian-registered holding controls 70% of the D.R. Congo-registered carrier; local investors own the remaining 30%.
ZC chairman George Arthur Forrest on Thursday said the carrier had received all necessary licenses and certificates from the Congolese authorities “allowing the effective start of the airline.” It has approval to import two SN BAe 146-200s and one Boeing 737-300, and to launch domestic and international operations.
The aircraft will remain under Belgian registry and will be wet-leased from SN under an ACMI agreement. All three aircraft have been painted in the ZC livery.
In the first phase, ZC will operate scheduled 737 services between Lubumbashi (FBM) and Kinshasa (FIH) as well as between FBM and Johannesburg. The FBM-FIH service will eventually connect to SN’s services from Brussels to FIH. BAe146 service from FBM to Mbuji-Maji and Kolwezi will be added in the second phase.
Article Source : ATW Daily News
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