The Congolese national airline Congo Airways remains grounded after the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) failed to provide a required bank guarantee, Transport Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba said on Nov. 26.

Bemba said the airline’s revival plan, approved by the government in July 2024, hinged on securing financing from local banks. “Unfortunately, the CNSS, which was supposed to provide the bank guarantee, did not do so. That is why Congo Airways has not yet been able to resume operations,” he told a panel at the Makutano transport forum.

The CNSS, which holds a 31% stake in Congo Airways, was required to guarantee the loan. Without that guarantee, the financing could not be secured.

Founded in 2014, Congo Airways has seen its fleet shrink from four aircraft to two operational planes. Recurrent technical problems forced the airline to suspend all operations in July 2024. After months of negotiations, the company said in a Nov. 3 statement that it would resume flights from Nov. 10. A new management team was appointed in January 2025.

Operations, however, never restarted. Local media report that the airline’s air operator’s certificate is due to expire in December. Such an expiry would severely undermine its viability, resulting in the loss of flying rights, the cancellation of insurance cover and the invalidation of contracts. The airline would then face a lengthy and costly recertification process.

Employees have repeatedly raised internal and public warnings about the company’s financial and social situation. According to several sources, nearly 450 jobs are now at risk.

In late 2024, the government partnered with Ethiopian Airlines to launch a new carrier, Air Congo. Bemba praised its performance, saying its load factor ranges between 80% and 100%. He added that the fleet will be expanded next year with three additional aircraft.

Boaz Kabeya