Article: Congo Airways grounded: an arrest of the Minister of Transport in sight
For almost a month, the Congo Airways fleet has been grounded, plunging the Congolese state’s only airline into an unprecedented crisis. Facing financial difficulties, Congo Airways announced the temporary suspension of its activities for reasons of reorganization and maintenance of its aircraft.
Faced with this alarming situation, Senator Doctor Laddy Yangotikala has initiated a process aimed at questioning the Minister of Transport, Communications and Opening Up, Marc Ekila Likombio, before the Congolese Senate.
In a correspondence addressed to the presidency of the Upper House of Parliament, the senator deplores the decision to suspend the activities of Congo Airways, which has already led to the cessation of air links to several Congolese cities. He emphasizes that Congolese citizens are forced to go through third countries to reach certain destinations within their own country.
The senator also questions the capacity of Congo Airways to ensure the deployment of electoral kits as part of the organization of the current general elections. He demands clear answers on the state of the company’s airline fleet, the date of resumption of activities, the recovery plan and government policy in the air transport sector.
This inquiry aims to highlight the worrying situation of Congo Airways and to obtain clarification on the actions planned by the government to remedy this crisis. Minister Marc Ekila is thus summoned to the Senate perch to provide answers to the questions asked by Senator Yangotikala.
The national company Congo Airways, which is going through a difficult period, urgently needs two rental aircraft to relaunch its activities while awaiting maintenance of its fleet. The costs related to this maintenance are estimated at $28 million for the two planes.
In conclusion, the suspension of Congo Airways activities has significant consequences on air connectivity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Minister of Transport’s inquiry aims to highlight the impact of this crisis on the Congolese population and to obtain concrete solutions to turn around the airline.