KORONGO THROWS IN THE TOWEL DUE TO ADVERSE OPERATING CONDITIONS
(Posted 05th September 2015)
Damage caused to the Korongo Boeing B737 in August, when loose tarmac slaps hit the stabilizers of the aircraft as it sped down the runway for takeoff, has as previously explained been more serious than initially thought.
Repairs of the damaged section of the hull and stabilizers were initially due to be completed by 06th September’. Meanwhile were operations halted as the airline was unable to lease a suitable aircraft to keep flights from Lubumbashi to Johannesburg, Kinshasa and Mbuji Mayi.
Korongo was formed through a partnership between Brussels Airlines and local Congolese businessmen and has been successfully operating since April 2012, the presently only carrier meeting EASA’s safety standards and therefore not included in the blacklist which otherwise extends to all other Congolese registered airlines.
It is therefore with some consternation that news was received an hour ago from Lubumbashi that the board of directors of Korongo, in an extraordinary meeting of the shareholders on the 04th of September, decided to liquidate the airline. The company cited adverse operating conditions, both vis a vis the damage sustained to their single B737 as well as other factors. Ticketholders can expect a full refund and need to contact the appointed liquidators, one Mr. Patrick William, at the company offices in Lubumbashi.
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