Korongo Airlines: THE END

[Tomskii]

Information from Nowmedia.co.za, the leading South African travel trade news site:

Christophe Allard, Korongo Airlines CEO, said the airline would be communicating with the South African trade in the coming weeks, providing more detailed information on the product, its launch date and GSA partner in South Africa, along with the launch of the airline’s website.

“The initial routes will be operated by B737 aircraft, under an ACMI agreement with Brussels Airlines (IOSA certified), featuring a two-class configuration, including a true C-class product,” Allard said.

So in fact, there you have an official statement from the CEO of Korongo Airlines.

As to a Press Release from Brussels Airlines: remember that technically speaking Korongo Airlines is a Joint Venture between local investors from the RDC and SN Airholding, with SN simply involved as partner through a wetlease agreement. As such, it's really not up to Brussels Airlines to announce the launch in the first place, but rather up to Korongo Airlines or its shareholders really. SN may then continue on that news from their own perspective (i.e. with more of a focus on the commercial partnership as well as the wetlease deal). At least that would be the correct way to do it, IMHO.

BTW, has anybody noticed the incredible high number of hits this topic has gathered?
More than 100,000! Surely that must be a record for this site?

You think you're quite the expert hey? Brussels airlines is the biggest stakeholder and thus the bigges partner STARTING up the airline, thus not that unusual that they are announcing this.

[tolipanebas]

Brussels airlines is the biggest stakeholder and thus the bigges partner STARTING up the airline, thus not that unusual that they are announcing this.

Brussels Airlines does not hold any shares in Korongo, but rather SN Airholding.

If you check the balance sheet of SN Airholding, you'll see they own shares in 3 companies:
99,99% of Brussels Airlines NV
50,50% of Airbel NV
40,40% of Korongo BVBA
http://bcc.nbb.be/BCCIA0101/WEB/actions ... 0110622013

If you subsequently check the balance sheet of that subsidiary Brussels Airlines NV, you'll see they hold no shares in Korongo, only in Airbel NV , Entebbe Handling Services Ltd. and Hydrant Refuelling System NV.
http://bcc.nbb.be/BCCIA0101/WEB/actions ... 0110616011

So Korongo is indeed not a daughter company of Brussels Airlines, but rather a sister company so to say.
Legally speaking, the way both airlines of SN Airholding will interact with each other in RDC is through a wetlease agreement and as such it really first comes to Korongo (or its shareholders) rather than to Brussels Airlines to first communicate on the launch and this also seems to match what the Korongo CEO told that South African website.

Christophe Allard, Korongo Airlines CEO, said the airline would be communicating with the South African trade in the coming weeks, providing more detailed information on the product, its launch date and GSA partner in South Africa, along with the launch of the airline’s website.

[sn26567]

Brussels Airlines has confirmed by the voice of co-CEO Michel Meyfroidt. Korongo will need 8 weeks to launch the flights (a minimum to start the commercial phase: publicity, timetables, recall of the staff which had been put on hold, etc.). It is expected that the first flight will take off in March or April.

As mentioned before:
- FBM to FIH and JNB by 737
- FBM to Kolwezi and Mbuji-Mayi by 146

Also in preparation: FBM to Kampala, Kigali, Bujumbura.

[sn26567]

According to this article from the African press, it seems that the man who blocked the start-up of Korongo was Augustin Katumba Mwanke, the senior adviser of president Kabila who died in a crash in Bukavu one week ago (see viewtopic.php?f=7&t=46742). Sad to say, but when he disappeared in that accident, suddenly all the licences to operate were avaiable.

The issue was that Korongo being considered as a safe airline, all the other airlines of Congo would have to invest heavily to reach the same safety level. These airlines complained to Katumba, who kept Korongo out of their way.

Let's hope now that the launch of Korongo will happen as expected in late March or early April!

[RoMax]

If Korongo had failed, some had hoped that SN could have reached an agreement with RwandAir to establish a base in Rwanda...

There had been discussions between SN/LH and Rwandair in the past and indeed rumours said that if Korongo failed they possibly went to Rwandair again.

But now with Korongo starting, why should they forget about Rwandair? Isn't a future partnership possible? Rwandair should be considdered as the only 'modern' airline in the regio of the DRC, Rwanda and Burundi (maybe you could also include Uganda). They have two brand new B738's and want to buy more new aircraft. They still search for a European partner. Could the SN Airholding invest in Rwandair and make some kind of joint-venture between Rwandair and Korongo? Of course this has to be allowed by the local governments (which I see can be quite a problem actually :p )...
Currently Rwandair is a codesharepartner of SN, but maybe they can be more...?

[sn26567]

According to George Forrest, the way is now clear for the launch of the newest bird in the Skies of the Congo: "We now have all authorizations to the last signature" He continued, "We have a few weeks for our structure to start."

More interesting background information in the Flight Africa blog

[brusselsairlinesfan]

According to this article from the African press, it seems that the man who blocked the start-up of Korongo was Augustin Katumba Mwanke, the senior adviser of president Kabila who died in a crash in Bukavu one week ago (see viewtopic.php?f=7&t=46742). Sad to say, but when he disappeared in that accident, suddenly all the licences to operate were avaiable.

The issue was that Korongo being considered as a safe airline, all the other airlines of Congo would have to invest heavily to reach the same safety level. These airlines complained to Katumba, who kept Korongo out of their way.

Let's hope now that the launch of Korongo will happen as expected in late March or early April!

In fact, this is really "disturbing"...

But it was also said that all paperwork was signed in january, so before the crash...

[Passenger]

According to this article from the African press, it seems that the man who blocked the start-up of Korongo was Augustin Katumba Mwanke, the senior adviser of president Kabila who died in a crash in Bukavu one week ago (see viewtopic.php?f=7&t=46742). Sad to say, but when he disappeared in that accident, suddenly all the licences to operate were avaiable.

The issue was that Korongo being considered as a safe airline, all the other airlines of Congo would have to invest heavily to reach the same safety level. These airlines complained to Katumba, who kept Korongo out of their way.

Let's hope now that the launch of Korongo will happen as expected in late March or early April!

In fact, this is really "disturbing"...

But it was also said that all paperwork was signed in january, so before the crash...

No, it isn't disturbing. At least, not for those who have been in / who have lived in Congo before.

Mwanke was not only Kabila's senior financial advisor, he was also co-owner of Katanga Express.

[tolipanebas]

Korongo in the 7 o'clock news on VRT (one of the last topics):

http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/m ... /1.1225792

[tolipanebas]

As the take-off of Korongo took a long time facing lots of difficulties, I must admit that I would be reassured to see an official statement & press release...

Here you go, the official press release on the launch by voice of Korongo and it's chairman mr Forrest, just as was expected if I may add:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46856

Enjoy.

[brusselsairlinesfan]

As the take-off of Korongo took a long time facing lots of difficulties, I must admit that I would be reassured to see an official statement & press release...

Here you go, the official press release on the launch by voice of Korongo and it's chairman mr Forrest, just as was expected if I may add:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46856

Enjoy.

Thank you very much tolipanebas!

[RoMax]

It seems Hewa Bora changed its name to FlyCongo and is planning to relaunch

Hewa Bora's website now contains the name FlyCongo:
http://www.hba.cd/hewaboraairways/index ... onlangue=2

And there is this website:
http://flycongo.com/

[RoMax]

It seems not everyone is so optimistic about Korongo Airlines:

http://7sur7.cd/index.php?option=com_co ... :congonews

An 'interesting' part of the article :

..., qui viennent de délivrer à Korongo Airlines une licence d’exploitation, alors que cette compagnie belgo-congolaise ne répond pas aux normes internationales édictées par l’organisation internationale de l’aviation civile (OACI, en sigle). Et pour cause, cette nouvelle compagnie à une flotte plus qu’usée, deux Boeings 737 (BA 737- 300 et BA 737- 146), qui ont tous plus de 20 ans de service, ce qui est contraire aux règles internationales sur la sécurité aérienne de l’OACI. Basée au Katanga, la compagnie Korongo Airlines à peiner pour avoir sa licence, cela fait plus d’une année que les autorités politico-administratives refusaient de délivrer une licence de navigation à cette société, pour des raisons de non viabilité de sa flotte notamment, selon les indiscrétions d’un fonctionnaire aux ministère de Transport et Communications.
Les aéronefs de Korongo sont des oiseaux de mauvaise augure à cause de leur vétusté, plus de 20 ans de vol, c’est trop, selon un expert de l’aéronautique civile. Des authentiques cercueils volants. Combien des morts faut-il à nos autorités pour qu’ils prennent conscience, s’agissant de la gestion du secteur aérien national, combien stratégique.

So...for the people who didn't knew it yet. An aircraft of 20 years old is f*cking dangerous and you shouldn't fly with it (so with airlines like Korongo) unless you are tired of your life... It seems maintenance doesn't matter anymore...

It seems like this is written by or 'under pressure' of a competing airline or some other kind of opponents of Korongo.

[Flanker]

It seems not everyone is so optimistic about Korongo Airlines:

http://7sur7.cd/index.php?option=com_co ... :congonews

An 'interesting' part of the article :

..., qui viennent de délivrer à Korongo Airlines une licence d’exploitation, alors que cette compagnie belgo-congolaise ne répond pas aux normes internationales édictées par l’organisation internationale de l’aviation civile (OACI, en sigle). Et pour cause, cette nouvelle compagnie à une flotte plus qu’usée, deux Boeings 737 (BA 737- 300 et BA 737- 146), qui ont tous plus de 20 ans de service, ce qui est contraire aux règles internationales sur la sécurité aérienne de l’OACI. Basée au Katanga, la compagnie Korongo Airlines à peiner pour avoir sa licence, cela fait plus d’une année que les autorités politico-administratives refusaient de délivrer une licence de navigation à cette société, pour des raisons de non viabilité de sa flotte notamment, selon les indiscrétions d’un fonctionnaire aux ministère de Transport et Communications.
Les aéronefs de Korongo sont des oiseaux de mauvaise augure à cause de leur vétusté, plus de 20 ans de vol, c’est trop, selon un expert de l’aéronautique civile. Des authentiques cercueils volants. Combien des morts faut-il à nos autorités pour qu’ils prennent conscience, s’agissant de la gestion du secteur aérien national, combien stratégique.


So...for the people who didn't knew it yet. An aircraft of 20 years old is f*cking dangerous and you shouldn't fly with it (so with airlines like Korongo) unless you are tired of your life... It seems maintenance doesn't matter anymore...

It seems like this is written by or 'under pressure' of a competing airline or some other kind of opponents of Korongo.

I agree with you that this article is probably politically motivated.

However... if you ask around you would know better. From the b.house windows they look nice and all but from up close...

The homies in the b.house think that it's the lowest capital solution, but boy have they seen the aircraft before deciding to use them? Don't think so. It's going to be a very expensive adventure to keep them operational.

Nevertheless, I'm sure that they're safer than anything flying in RDC and if the venture survives the first years, they will use newer aircraft.

[RoMax]

I think this was just the cheapest solution, at least if things go wrong. What if they sign a quite expensive lease contract and the project fails...
I'm sure that they will use newer aircraft in a few years if the projects proves to be a succes.

But I just found a new article about Korongo (looks quite official, they quote the CEO and things like that)...it says Korongo will start the 16th April.

Their maintenance hangar is called a 12 000m2 piece of Belgium in Central Africa, making them able to offer maintenance at European Union standards to aircraft up to the size of the 737.
They also invested in the airport infrastructure to make is at least a bit, up to date.

The route network will be developed in 3 stages during this year. In the first stage they'll start 8 weekly flights between Lubumbashi and Kinshasa and 2 weekly flights between FBM and Johannesburg. And then they say something strange/suprising... : "This in addition of Brussels Airlines operating a three-times-a-week service from Lubumbashi to Brussels" ... Either this is wrong, or SN will start a 3 weekly service to FBM...

Further routes to be added are Kolwezi (a very big demand, from mine operators), Lilongwe (Malawi), Lusaka (Zambia) and Entebbe (Uganda). Of course these routes (at least some of them) are depending on government agreements, which can take quite some time...

With Korongo there will be reall business class services to/from Lubumbashi (remember the business seats in the 733). They'll offer snacks on short flights and hot meals on all flights longer than 2 hours. For the first time an airline will offer electronic tickets in the DRC and passengers can choose from 3 different products: fully flexible, semiflexible or low-cost, depending on the individual needs.
Korongo will also target booking systems like Amadeus and Galileo so that pax from all over the world can book tickets.

Korongo will also offer air-freight capacity in the region.

About the fleet: as you know Korongo will lease one 733 and one BAe 146-200 (later the become 2) from SN. These aircraft were refitted and modernised. They also underwent a tropicalisation process to accustom the aircraft components to the hot and humid climate.

For article and two pictures (business seats and Korongo hangar):
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/articl ... 2012-03-07

[brusselsairlinesfan]

Great news... things are turning concrete right now... at least...

[convair]

Meanwhile, OO-LTM is still flying daily for SN.

Now, about this BRU-FBM 3-weekly service, I am very doubtful as can't see that such important news would be given by Korongo's CEO and not announced with great fanfare by SN itself!

[brusselsairlinesfan]

Dear all,

It seems that a press conference took place in Kinshasa yesterday :

http://direct.cd/2012/03/12/rdc-korongo ... son-envol/
http://www.lobservateur.cd/index.php?op ... &Itemid=65
http://radiookapi.net/economie/2012/03/ ... activites/
http://www.acpcongo.com/index.php?optio ... le&id=7079
The most detailed: http://7sur7.cd/index.php?option=com_co ... 14:lavenir

[RoMax]

So they'll take off in about a month and sales will start next week (20 March).

Any idea on when the first aircraft are planned to depart to FBM?

Link in Dutch:
http://www.flightlevel.be/11245/korongo ... p-16-april

[sn-remember]

Nice to hear they are at last set to take off in the Congolese skies ...
Imagine .. how many months now since this huge country is deprived of air link .. except the usual meager FIH and FBM cxions. Incredible that the authorities allowed this to last longer than necessary ...
It must be dramatic to many people not having any airlink at all in most parts of the country ... Hope this will change soon.
In particular places like FKI,MJM,GOM are in need of cxions... Certainly many others too !
Good winds, Korongo !