Brussels Airlines Group and Hewa Bora Airways set up a new Congolese airline

The Brussels Airlines Group together with Hewa Bora Airways of Congo has created a new Congolese airline. The new airline will operate according to international standards from Kinshasa and offer both domestic and international flights.

Shareholders

The Brussels Airlines Group’s participation in the new company is via its affiliate, Pan African Airlines Leasing Company Ltd. Pan African Airlines is a company based in Mauritius and is specialized in the development of African aviation projects and aviation partnerships.

Pan African owns 49 pct of the shares of the new airline and the Hewa Bora Airways Group holds the remaining 51 pct.

The new airline will start its operations as soon as possible after all necessary preparations work has been done and licenses have been granted. The name of the airline will be announced at a later stage.

Safety, punctuality, reliability and comfort

The airline will operate according to international standards. The home base is Kinshasa’s main airport N’Djili. Safety, punctuality, reliability and comfort are the key values on which the airline will be built. 

Both domestic and international services are planned, operated on Boeing 737 and BAe 146 aircraft.

A close relationship

The new airline will work in a close relationship with Brussels Airlines, which will provide both management resources and operational know how.

Thank to a codeshare agreement, the new airline will also sell tickets on the Kinshasa – Brussels service operated by Brussels Airlines.

The domestic and regional flights of the new airline will provide smooth connections from its destinations to the long haul services operated by Brussels Airlines and via Brussels to Europe, the US, India and the Middle East.

Hewa Bora Airways has an in-depth experience of organizing airline activities across the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), and the new airline will make use of this knowledge.

“We are very happy that we can build, together with our partners, a new airline project for the Congo that will become in no time the aviation reference of the country”, says Brussels Airlines CEO Philippe Vander Putten. “Brussels Airlines will share all its operational knowledge, acquired during 80 years of aviation experience in Africa, with the new company.”

“We are very happy to be able to announce this solid partnership”, says Hewa Bora Airways CEO Philippe de Moerloose. “ Our collaboration will allow the Democratic Republic of Congo to develop out of Kinshasa quality airline services operating according to international standards, hereby contributing to the unlocking of its vast hinterland.  Our collaboration with Brussels Airlines allows us to create synergies and transfers of know how from both sides, so as to join the best of our both worlds.”

We will be informing the media via regular press releases on the development of this new Congolese airline.

Share

Latest stories

Website preview
Brussels Airlines expands its network in Summer 2027 with new destination Cairo
The Belgian carrier will also add more flights to Kilimanjaro, while adding capacity to popular European leisure destinations
press.brusselsairlines.com
Website preview
Brussels Airlines brings AfriConnections exhibition to Brussels
After stops in Kinshasa, Abidjan, Yaoundé and Dakar, the 2026 tour concludes in the Belgian capital
press.brusselsairlines.com
Website preview

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About Brussels Airlines

About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is Belgium's home carrier and one of the network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. From its hub at Brussels Airport, the airline connects Belgium and Europe with more than 90 destinations worldwide, including 18 destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Belgian airline employs more than 3,500 people and operates a fleet of 46 aircraft.

Brussels Airlines is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and works together with Lufthansa Group on a range of initiatives. The airline participates in the Stargate project led by Brussels Airport, signed the Circular Economy agreement of Antwerp Management School, and was the first airline to - early 2023 - transport Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the CEPS pipeline to Brussels Airport. Between November 2023 and June 2026, Brussels Airlines has welcomed eight brand-new Airbus A320neo aircraft, significantly reducing fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions and noise levels across its European network.

As an ambassador for its country, Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world. The airline showcases Belgian culture through collaborations with Belgian Star Chefs, the promotion of Belgian products on board, and its Belgian Icons aircraft, which celebrate unique elements of Belgium's culture and heritage.

More information on brusselsairlines.com 


About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers almost 18,000 daily flights to over 1,160 airports in more than 190 countries.

Star Alliance Press Office: +65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com
More information on staralliance.com

Contact

b.house Kompaslaan 26 1831 Diegem

+32 2 723 89 90

press@brusselsairlines.com

www.brusselsairlines.com