New Route of the Day (1 July 2026): Air Congo between Kinshasa and Brussels BRU

Air Congo, the flag carrier of the Democratic Republic of Congo, commenced operations between Kinshasa and Brussels BRU on Wednesday 1 July, operated by Ethiopian Airlines. The 6,215-kilometre service will be maintained 4-weekly, on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with a 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. The carrier is wet-leasing the aircraft and crew from Ethiopian Airlines, which owns a 49% stake in Air Congo. The route is also served daily by Brussels Airlines.

Flight ET98 departs Kinshasa at 10:00 local time, arriving in Brussels BRU at 19:00 local time. The return service, operating as flight ET99, takes off at 20:45 local time, arriving back in the Congolese capital at 03:50 local time the following morning.

What they said

Jan Van de Reyd, Head of Network Development at Brussels Airport, said: “For many in Belgium’s vibrant Congolese community, Kinshasa isn’t just another destination – it’s home. And for many Congolese travellers, Brussels is much more than a gateway to Europe.
We’re delighted that Air Congo is adding a new chapter to this special relationship by offering travellers even more choice and strengthening one of the most meaningful VFR markets in our network.”

Congolese carriers banned from EU

Air Congo’s Kinshasa flights are being operated under a wet-lease arrangement with its part-owner Ethiopian Airlines as the European Commission has banned airlines certified by authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo from operating in European Union airspace because of persistent shortcomings in aviation safety oversight.

Brussels BRU becomes Air Congo’s first destination outside Africa, with the airline maintaining operations to several cities on the continent with its fleet of three 737-800s and one ATR72-600, all of which are leased from Ethiopian Airlines.

Air Congo plans to add service to Paris and Dubai in the coming period.