Air Congo welcomes second Dreamliner with reported three-class cabin

Air Congo has welcomed a Boeing 787 Dreamliner at a ceremony attended by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s deputy prime minister responsible for transport, according to the announcement supplied.

The aircraft is described as accommodating 292 passengers, comprising 30 business-class seats, 36 “Premium” seats and 226 economy seats. Its registration, precise variant, ownership arrangements and entry-into-service date were not specified. However, it is likely to be a Boeing 787-9 registered EI-MGL leased from MIAT Mongolian Airlines, which has arrived recently at Kinshasa Airport.

The announcement comes as Air Congo develops its European network. The carrier introduced Kinshasa–Brussels services in July 2026, followed by Paris Charles de Gaulle via Brussels in August, using a Boeing 787-8 provided by Ethiopian Airlines under a wet-lease arrangement. Ethiopian supplies the aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance.

That aircraft, registered ET-ASI, was originally delivered to Ethiopian Airlines in May 2015. Fleet records list it with 270 seats—24 in business and 246 in economy—a different configuration from the 292-seat cabin described in the latest announcement. It therefore remains unclear whether the ceremony concerns another aircraft or a change to the existing operation.

Air Congo is a joint venture owned 51% by the Congolese state and 49% by Ethiopian Airlines. Its development has combined domestic services with international expansion, including links to Belgium and France.

Sources: Air Journal, Planespotters.net

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