Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways PLC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Congo Airways to collaborate, strengthen, and bolster aviation ties between Kenya and The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The signing of the strategic cooperation was witnessed by H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Congolese host H.E. President Félix Tshisekedi on the last day of President Kenyatta’s three-day State visit of DR Congo. The partnership agreement was signed by Kenya Airways Group CEO Allan Kilavuka and his Congo Airways counterpart Désiré Balazire Bantu in Kinshasa, DRC.
This association would highlight the importance of the strategic cooperation between the two national carriers and their role would be to enhance trade exchange between the two countries and the importance of collaboration on expertise that benefit the aviation sector, especially as the aviation sector recovers from the devastating impact of COVID-19.
“Congo Airways is extremely excited about this agreement with Kenya Airways. This partnership will contribute to the promotion and the development of both companies. The air transport sector has been very impacted by the pandemic with COVID-19. Together we will provide better solutions and innovations. In the future our companies will be able to face the single air transport market as decided by the African Union,” stated Mr. Balazire Bantu in a company release.
The deal will involve the carriers partnering on aircraft maintenance, training, and sharing excess cargo capacity. Sustainability and domestic expansion are also on the airlines’ joint agenda.
A spokesperson for Kenya Airways said in a release, “We are pleased to have signed an MOU with Congo Airways to strengthen aviation ties between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo . Strengthened bilateral ties between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo will boost passenger and cargo transport businesses between the two markets and internationally. This reinforces Kenya Airways’ commitment to being a catalyst for Africa’s sustainable development.”
Kenya Airways, a member of the Sky Team Alliance, is a leading African airline flying to 54 destinations worldwide, 41 of which are in Africa and carries over four million passengers annually. It continues to modernize its fleet with its 36 aircraft being some of the youngest in Africa.
