Embraer and Congo Airways have signed a firm order for two E175 aircraft, with purchase rights for a further two. The deal has a total value of $194.4 million, at current list prices.
The aircraft will be configured in a two-class layout seating 76 passengers in total, with 12 Business Class and 64 Economy Class. Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2020.
These new jets will replace our current turboprop offering and allow us to serve routes both within the Democratic Republic of Congo and regionally to West, Central and Southern Africa, from our hub in Kinshasa. We will now have the flexibility and the right sized aircraft to serve our market, which is growing so rapidly an additional order may be required, for which the E2 is a particularly compelling option.
Desire Bantu, CEO of Congo Airways
It’s great to welcome another airline to the Embraer family of operators, especially in Africa where the demand for regional travel is growing strongly. We look forward to supporting Congo Airways as they continue to upgrade their offering to their customers.
Raul Villaron, Vice President Sales, Africa and Middle East, Embraer Commercial Aviation
Started operations on October 20th 2015, Congo Airways currently has a fleet of four with 2 Airbus A320’s acquired from Alitalia and 2 Bombardier Dash 8’s.
The airline operates domestic routes from its hub at N’djili Airport in Kinshasa to Goma, Kindu, Kananga, Kisangani, Lubumbashi, Mbandaka and Mbuji-Mayi. In May 2018, the airline commenced international flights to Douala and Johannesburg-OR Tambo airport.