Air Congo’s inaugural scheduled service from Kinshasa touched down at Brussels Airport on 1 July, marking the airline’s first-ever flight to Europe and ending the long-standing monopoly on the route previously held by Brussels Airlines. The new service will operate five times per week between the Belgian and Congolese capitals.
The flight was operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered ET-ASI, supplied by Ethiopian Airlines under an ACMI (wet-lease) agreement. Ethiopian, which owns a 49% stake in Air Congo, provides the aircraft and flight crew while Air Congo markets the service under its own 4H code. This inaugural flight was designated ET98.
The launch represents a significant milestone for the young carrier, which began operations in late 2024. Brussels is Air Congo’s first intercontinental destination, with Paris and Dubai among the cities being considered for future expansion as the airline develops its long-haul network.
