Air Congo, which started flying on December 1st, is the new national flag carrier jointly owned 51/49 by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (#DRC) and Ethiopian Airlines (ET), one of the world’s 30 largest carriers and by far Africa’s largest and most profitable.

Air Congo is an excellent example of intra-Africa FDI and a model for strategic partnership amongst Africans. Big Congratulations!

Note: The Air Congo business model is similar to the 51/49 model that’s proposed for #Nigeria’s national carrier, Nigeria Air. 

Unfortunately, two privately owned local Nigerian airlines - Air Peace and United Nigeria Airline - led a well orchestrated campaign via social media, traditional media, lawsuit, etc., to prevent Nigeria Air from taking-off and to eliminate real competition, despite approval by the government of Nigeria including H.E. the President. Sadly, millions of Nigerians have now been deprived of flying on a strong, reliable, successful, affordable and sustainable Nigerian airline.

The successful take-off of Air Congo should be a best practices lesson to the entire airline industry across Africa, especially Nigeria.
#DRC