BRUSSELS AIRLINES TO LAUNCH NEW AIRLINE IN CONGO
Information was confirmed by a source from Brussels Airlines that the Belgian flag carrier will launch flight operations in Congo through a new airline, 70 percent owned by SN with the balance of shares held by Congolese investors. Korongo Airlines, operating under IATA two letter code ZC, is expected to take to the skies in the early second quarter of 2012 and will operated three wetleased aircraft, all provided by Brussels Airlines.
The initial routes will be from Lubumbashi, where the airline is headquartered, to Kinshasa and Johannesburg, using a B737-300 while domestic routes will be added once the two additional BAE 146 planes have been deployed. The source specifically pointed out that all aircraft will remain registered in Belgium and will be subject to the EUs stringent safety and maintenance oversight, assuring passengers that this latest Congolese airline will indeed meet all expected safety standards. Congos civil aviation and other government departments have reportedly approved the importation of the three aircraft and granted all pre-requisit permits like an air services license and an air operators certificate. The flights to Kinshasa are due to be linked to the arrival of SNs scheduled services between Brussels and Kinshasa to provide convenient onward connections both ways.
Meanwhile has another SN source confirmed that passengers from Paris, connecting in Brussels to the airlines African services, including Kinshasa, can now check in their baggage a day early PLUS will get an added 9 free kilograms of added baggage allowance, limited to two checked pieces of luggage. This, it was pointed out, will make for a hassle free trip on the day of travel when individuals, but more so families, can concentrate on enjoying their journey instead of having to deal with bags and trolleys. Watch this space.
