Kenya Airways and Congo Airways Sign MOU for Strategic Cooperation

The signing of the strategic cooperation was witnessed by H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Congolese host H.E. President Félix Tshisekedi on the last day of President Kenyatta's three-day State visit of DR Congo. The partnership agreement was signed by Kenya Airways Group CEO Allan Kilavuka and his Congo Airways counterpart Désiré Balazire Bantu in Kinshasa, DRC.

Mr. Kilavuka highlighted the importance of the strategic cooperation between the two national carriers and their role in enhancing trade exchange between the two countries and the importance of collaboration on expertise that benefit the aviation sector, especially as the aviation sector recovers from the devastating impact of COVID-19.

“The cooperation between Kenya Airways and Congo Airways will cover technical capacity building, commercial cooperation and human resource training. Part of this will cover costeffective aircraft maintenance and technical expertise, particularly on the Embraer E-Jet fleet training in engineering, flight deck and crew, route codeshare opportunities and other synergies,” said Mr. Kilavuka.

“The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated containment measures aimed at preventing the spread of the Coronavirus disrupted the aviation sector, with most markets operating at reduced capacity and some fully shutting down. As the global economies continue to rebound steadily, this commitment provides an opportunity to leverage on the strengths of the industry players in the future,” added Mr. Kilavuka.

Strengthened bilateral between the two countries will boost the National Carrier and Congo Airways strengthen passenger and cargo transport businesses between the two markets and the international network.

“Congo Airways is very excited about this agreement with Kenya Airways. This partnership will contribute to the promotion and the development of both companies. The air transport sector has been very impacted by the pandemic with COVID-19. Together we will provide better solutions and innovations. In the future our companies will be able to face the single air transport market as decided by the African Union,” stated Mr. Balazire Bantu.