Korongo Airlines: THE END

[Conti764]

I don't understand this negative reaction. I have been curious myself why Brussels Airlines hasn't considered a direct (or nonstop) flight to Lubumbashi. It would be quite logical to offer a direct flight, connecting to Korongo's network, as not every passenger flying to the DRC has Kinshasa as final destination.

Duke

I guess it is not easy for SN to start up a new long haul destination. Just look how long it took them to expand into Africa and how long it takes them to start up the long mentioned USA flight. And the entire Korongo case just shows how difficult it is to start something at the DRC. ZC's competitors are already doing everything in their power to prevent or at least stall ZC from beginning, let alone they would just allow SN to facilitate transferring through FBM.

In theory it is perfectly possible to sustain FBM as operational and FIH as transfer hub in Congo. Take a BAe146 as example. They could make it fly FBM-KGA-FIH not only creating a link between the two latter, but also between FBM and KGA. This schedule can be used for other domestic Congolese destinations as well, if they will materialize in the future.

Only when ZC has developed into a bigger scale carrier with multiple destinations within Congo and their neighbouring countries, it might be worth the risk to open up a second destination in the same country. For the time being SN will do perfectly fine by funneling pax through FIH into secondary destinations. Let's not forget they still have 'only' one flight a day carrying 268 pax at a maximum all arriving at FIH at the same time.

But of course, that's just my armchair CEO analysis of the situation

[travellover]

No it's not easy to create a new stop in Congo.
I notice that a part of you are professionals in the field of aviation or spotters.Rumours may be amazing but I appreciate the amount and quality of daily analysis or data news around.
Those who enjoy aviation as an hobby and if someone feel (s)he is an armchair CEO,he'll have no chance of credibility, so I don't play that game, chears.

[sn26567]

According to Le Soir online, everything is "almost" ready for the launch of Korongo.

La Libre Belgique adds that the launch is hindered by private interests opposing the common interest. It says that the launch should nevertheless take place within a few weeks.

[tolipanebas]

La Libre Belgique adds that the launch is hindered by private interests opposing the common interest.

No kidding?! In the RDC?! Who would have guessed!?

[sn26567]

In order to avoid the repetition of fatal accidents in R D Congo, some local newspapers are calling for the authorisation for Korongo to operate in the country. They draw the attention on regulations imposed to Korongo that local airlines don't have to comply with, such as the construction of a maintenance hangar.

Korongo has not yet been authorised to import its aircraft. These newspapers call on the government to lift that restriction. That is the only way to try to get out of the European blacklist, only a small step. Korongo satisfies to all conditions imposed by the government and has safe reliable planes. Why the delay?

See articles (in French) : http://franceactu.net/54597-A-la-suite- ... repetition
http://radiookapi.net/revue-de-presse/2 ... epetition/
http://www.onewovision.com/actu-rdc/A-l ... TBGULAN_Hw

[tolipanebas]

I normally don't easily subscribe to what journalists call for in the wake of an accident, but here the author is spot on. Not only does the RDC urgently need safe and reliable air transport links, the Congolese authorities need some foreign advice in successfully administering regulatory oversight on their domestic airlines as well.

In this view, Korongo is most certainly their best way forward, as not only will it give the RDC a safe and reliable airline operating to internationally acceptable standards right away, but contrary to any other foreign project in the RDC, Korongo will also bring the prospect of a transfer of technical and legal knowhow between the BCAA and the AAC which -over time- will make it possible for the RDC to be excluded from the EU blacklist even!

Indeed, Korongo is not just about an airline, it also has an aspect of international collaboration to it as the BCAA has taken up the unique commitment to act not only as regulatory oversight for the wetlease ops in FBM, but also wants to work together with the AAC to transfer all legal and technical knowhow needed for such oversight so the RDC can successfully demonstrate acceptable regulatory capabilities alongside a reputated regulator and thus come to issue an AoC which will be internationally recognized, thus improving both the status of aviation in the RDC, as well as domestic safety standards.

Of course, it remains to be seen if the RDC is willing to take this unique offer to help it raise its status, or whether they prefer to remain locked in their current dead trap forever....

[sn26567]

Of course, it remains to be seen if the RDC is willing to take this unique offer to help it raise its status, or whether they prefer to remain locked in their current dead trap forever....

When you see the all hurdles that the RDC government is accumulating in the footsteps of Korongo (even imposing conditions that are not required from local airlines), it is doubtful that this government is really willing to improve safety in air travel in the RDC.

If there was any goodwill, Korongo would be in the air since months.

[Crosswind]

Did you expect something else, with elections planned in november?

[sn26567]

According to Director General of Korongo Christople Allard cited in Okapi.net, the Korongo project is blocked by two authorisations that Korongo must still get from the RDV Aviation authorities:

• Import licence for the aircraft
• Approval of the schedules

Quousque tandem....

[regi]

According to Director General of Korongo Christople Allard cited in Okapi.net, the Korongo project is blocked by two authorisations that Korongo must still get from the RDV Aviation authorities:

• Import licence for the aircraft
• Approval of the schedules

Quousque tandem....

just a sarcastic remark:
would the ministry in Kinshasha be able to verify if airplanes are imported in the country?
in case the ministry would be aware, what could they do against it?

[fcw]

I have a strong feeling Korongo will become a second Air DC!

[RoMax]

I have a strong feeling Korongo will become a second Air DC!

I think SN will try much harder for Korongo. Air DC was doomed to fail because Hewa Bora was the main shareholder (51% if I'm correct). SN just had to come with the money and they had to do what Hewa Bora wanted. I think it's logicall SN wouldn't go on with such a project.
But in this project the only airline shareholder is SN, and that's much easier for them. They invested already millions in Belgium and DRC to build up this airline (training many congolese people, building a 3 million dollar maintenance hangar,...).
They can't do anything without the DRC, but the pressure is building. Both from inside the DRC as from outside they are widely critisized about their aviation safety. But now, the AOC of Hewa Bora, the biggest Congolese airline and the one wich got the most support from the country, got suspended following the recent crash.
I have the feeling the DRC must do something to accept Korongo, they are losing international support (and not only from Belgium) because of their dramatic aviation safety, but at the same time they are blocking an airline wich is (suposed to be) safe... And with the suspended AOC of Hewa Bora (I hope it will be suspended for a very long time, but I doubt it actually...)... how long can they hold this situation.

[Crosswind]

And it's a pity. They did a very good job over there...

I have the same feeling. Those last papers coming from nowhere aren't indications of good will from their part...

But let's hope

[airazurxtror]

But in this project the only airline shareholder is SN, and that's much easier for them.

As far as is known, Korongo is owned
- for 70 % by a holding (in which Brussels Airlines has 50,5 % and Georges Forrest Group 49,5 %)
- for 30 % by Congolese investors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korongo_Airlines

Not really welcome by all in the RDC. Example of reaction :

«Le partenariat Brussels Airlines-Groupe Forrest est une tentative de hold-up du droit de trafic du Congo-Kinshasa».

Les transporteurs aériens locaux interdits dans l’espace aérien européen, apprécieront

Encore une compagnie qui nous amène des poubelles qui ne peuvent plus voler en Belgique ! Non, merci.

Korongo Airlines;vous n’aurez pas votre permis d;importation des Avion tant que vous n’aurez pas octoye des pourcentages aux decideurs politiques comme font les autres qui operent quelques soient les conditions de leurs Avions.

[RoMax]

As far as is known, Korongo is owned
- for 70 % by a holding (in which Brussels Airlines has 50,5 % and Georges Forrest Group 49,5 %)
- for 30 % by Congolese investors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korongo_Airlines
t

I said: "SN is the only airline shareholder". I ment it different than you probably understood it. With that I mean SN is the only airline wich hold a stake in Korongo. The others are just financial/logistic partners, but it's SN wich 'operates' the airline. That's different with Air DC wich was owned by Hewa Bora and SN. Two airlines from two COMPLETELY different countries based on aviation and politics, that can not work.

But indeed many in the DRC do not want Korongo. But most negative reactions are comming from DRC airlines are people who are connected with these airlines. Not suprising as Korongo would ruin these airlines on the routes Korongo will operate.

[sn26567]

The last step to the start of Korongo is nearing: a Brussels Airlines team should make an audit of the Lubumbashi maintenance hangar in August 2011. The Congolese authorities (AAC, Administration de l'Aviation Civile) have already approved it and it makes no doubt that Brussels Airlines as the aircraft supplier will also approve it.

http://www.groupelavenir.cd/spip.php?article41285

[RoMax]

Also "De Tijd" says Korongo Airlines could be very close to first commercial flight. A delegation of the "Belgisch Directoraat-Generaal van de Luchtvaart" (how is that in English? ) will soon leave for FBM to make an audit of the maintenance services and the airlines operations. If that's done, Korongo only needs a "GO" from Kinshasa/Joseph Kabila.

It's also mentionned the first flight was planned for 9 May, administrative and political problems delayed it resulting in about 100 local people wich have to wait to start working for Korongo and the aircraft planned for Korongo flying in Europe for SN.

Also in the article, that Hewa Bora is not happy with Korongo and that they are probably one of the biggest reasons why Korongo is still not flying (Hewa Bora is standing very close to the Kabila familly, btw). But their recent crash and the fact that "their government" forbid them to fly any longer wasn't a bad thing for Korongo. Now only one airline is still flying between FBM and FIH or you need to fly trough ADD or NBO. Quite a mess, while there is a safe, new airline waiting to start operations.

George Forrest and SN invested 11.5 million in Korongo so far.

Korongo is as company on the black list (just as every Congolese airline, the EU sees the DRC as unsafe, not Korongo), but the aircraft will stay under SN's command, operated by pilots with a Belgian licence. So I assume these aircraft would be allowed in the EU (not that this is needed, but it's the idea that counts).

http://www.tijd.be/nieuws/ondernemingen ... 3-3085.art

[tolipanebas]

Well, the article doesn't contain any new information really and has a factual error even: currently there's only 1 BAe146 painted in Korongo colours, the other one is still at BRU in Air DC colours.

What would be interesting is the network they plan to operate on, wouldn't it, because I can tell you they aim further than just the routes to FIH and JNB, and are going to get feed out of BRU through more than just FIH if all goes well...

[pjvdv]

OO-DJJ took off this morning.
Don't know if he's leaving for a new paint job or maybe it was just a training flight.
Pj

[Darjeeling]

Two key things though:
* No Intl ops for Korongo without two years of experience on domestic market (so no JNB within two years).
* If no start-up before oct 1st 2011 no start-up in 2011 but well Jan 2012 and this in order to avoid any turmoil in the wake of the upcoming presidential election.