5 June 2020: Replacing their legacy turboprops, Congo Airways have converted two Embraer E175 aircraft to E190-E2 jets. Also a second order is being signed by an African customer for USD 256 million for two more E190-E2 jets which are to be delivered in the second quarter of 2022. The configuration of the aircraft will be in a dual class layout seating with a total of 96 passengers with 12 staggered business class seats.
Desire Bantu, CEO of Congo Airways said, “These new jets will allow us to extend our operations within the Democratic Republic of Congo, and regionally to West, Central, and Southern Africa. Despite the current difficult circumstances, the fundamentals of our market have not changed; so we expect the momentum we’ve seen in the past to redevelop. I said in December that we may need to make an additional order for E2s due to the agility required to adapt to market changes – we have now reached that point. As we prepare for future success, we will have the flexibility, and the right sized, most efficient aircraft, to serve our customers as the market returns.”
Welcoming a new airline to the E2 and Embraer family in Africa, Raul Villaron, Vice President, Sales, Africa and Middle East, Embraer Commercial Aviation said, “Africa has long been a market with low frequencies and long thin routes. As airlines start ramp up their operations, the E2 family of aircraft is perfectly positioned to right size routes previously operated by narrow bodies, while keeping frequencies and adjusting capacity to new levels. We look forward to supporting Congo Airways as they continue to upgrade their offering to their customers.”
Currently there are 189 Embraer aircraft operating in Africa.
