Kenya Airways and Congo Airways signed an aircraft lease agreement and entered a cargo codeshare partnership.

As part of Kenya Airways’ cargo codeshare partnership with Congo Airways, it will lease two of its Embraer E190 aircraft to the Congo-based carrier for domestic operations.

Kenya Airways noted that the partnership “strengthens collaboration and bolsters aviation ties between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), actualising the Memorandum of Understanding  between Kenya Airways and Congo Airways signed in April 2021.”

“Kenya is seeking to leverage the DRC market by diversifying its export destinations, given the Covid-19-induced disruption, which has highlighted the need for deeper inter-regional trade,” it added.

Kenya Airways commenced cargo operations between Johannesburg and Lubumbashi in Congo on September 13, 2021. 

“KQ is a key player in the aviation space in Africa, and with over 40 years of experience, this is an important step in enhancing cooperation to increase air connectivity and offer greater passenger and cargo options between the two countries. The timing of this agreement is correct, considering the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation industry, as it will increase the utilisation of our aircraft,” said Kenya Airways group managing director and chief executive Allan Kilavuka.

For his part, Congo Airways’ chief executive Pascal Kasongo Mwema Mwenda, said the partnership will bolster air connectivity between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Kenya Airways will also provide training courses for Congo Airways personnel and the airlines will explore the exchange of technical personnel to support skills transfer.