I’ve found this blog that explains what happened with the ban for Ethiopian Airlines at Goma. It’s one of those stories that makes one understand why airlines under supervision of the D.R. Congo’s CAA remain banned in the European Union.
http://drcongoairline.blogspot.be/2015/ ... spend.html
Le Directeur-Général de la Régie des Voies Aériennes (D.R. Congo's head of CAA) has sent a letter to Son Excellence Monsieur le Ministre des Transport et Voies de Communication, explaining why Ethiopian Airlines is temporary banned from Goma:
- in 2002, vulcanic eruption reduced the runway from 3.000m to 2.000m
- most of, the runway was re-established with German aid. The D.R. Congo itself is now finalizing the last 400m/500m.
- the runway consists of 6 stretches of 7,5m x 2.000m concrete (béton bitumeux). Only 4 of them are up to date. Sauf imprévu, Congo's CAA will settle this problem in July 2015.
- on 10th July 2015, Ethiopian Airlines had its inaugural flight, with a Dash-8. Landing and take off were normal.
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however, the Directeur-Général of Congo's CAA now regards that inaugural flight as a test flight. Problem solved!!! And once everything is normal, somewhere in August, ET is allowed to fly to Goma again. “
Dès lors, nous considérons que le vol Ethiopian Airlines de ce jour Addis-Abeba-Goma-Addis Abeba est tout simplément un vol d’essai et nous invitons par la présente ladie Compagnie que nous lit en copie à bien vouloir réaménager son programme de vols pour commencer la desserte de Goma en vols réguliers au courant du mois d’Aout 2015”.
Why today only Ethiopian's Dash-8 are banned, and Congo's FlyCAA’s A320 are allowed to use Goma? No idea.
Why Ethiopian was allowed to start up operations from 10th July, though the CAA knew that runway was not operational in full length? No idea.
Why "a test flight" was allowed to a runway that was "not ready for a Dash-8" (cfr Congo's CAA)? No idea.
When exactly in August ET will be allowed to use Goma again? No idea. Let me guess: the day after Congo Airways has started its operations.