Korongo Airlines
A former Congolese scheduled airline that linked Lubumbashi with major regional cities before ceasing operations in 2015.
About Korongo Airlines
Korongo Airlines was established in 2009 as a scheduled carrier based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and began commercial operations in 2012. Its ownership combined Belgian aviation interests associated with Brussels Airlines and Congolese investment from the George Forrest International group. The airline’s name and visual identity were distinct from the Royal Eswatini National Airways details sometimes associated with the same code in third-party records.
Lubumbashi International Airport served as Korongo Airlines’ principal hub. The carrier concentrated on a compact network connecting Lubumbashi with Kinshasa and Mbuji-Mayi within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, alongside an international service to Johannesburg in South Africa. Its schedule was primarily intended to support business, government and family travel between economically important cities rather than an extensive leisure network.
Korongo operated a small fleet that included a Boeing 737-300 for its principal routes and a British Aerospace BAe 146 regional jet during part of its operating history. The 737 was configured with business-class and economy-class seating, giving passengers a choice of cabin on selected services. The limited fleet size, however, left relatively little operational flexibility when aircraft required maintenance.
The airline was not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld and did not maintain a widely established frequent-flyer programme of its own. Its relationship with Brussels Airlines provided technical and commercial expertise, but Korongo remained a separate Congolese operator. Travellers could not rely on the broad alliance benefits, reciprocal status privileges or extensive mileage opportunities available through larger international network airlines.
Korongo’s main strength was its focused service from Lubumbashi, offering scheduled links on routes important to southern Congo and regional commerce. Its small scale was also a significant challenge because disruptions could affect a large share of the timetable. Korongo Airlines ceased operations in September 2015, so it no longer sells tickets or operates flights; references to its routes, fleet and passenger experience are historical.
Good to know
Flying with Korongo Airlines — what to expect
Operations Have Ended
Korongo Airlines ceased flying in September 2015. Any website or booking page appearing to offer current Korongo services should be treated cautiously.
Historical Hub
The airline was based at Lubumbashi International Airport, from which it served a small domestic and regional network.
Limited Fleet
Korongo operated only a small number of aircraft, including the Boeing 737-300 and BAe 146. That limited backup capacity when maintenance or operational disruptions occurred.
Two Cabin Options
Its Boeing 737 services offered business-class and economy-class seating. Cabin products should be understood in the context of the airline’s 2012–2015 operating period.
No Alliance Membership
Korongo did not belong to a major global airline alliance. Travellers therefore did not have the broad reciprocal benefits normally associated with alliance carriers.
Route network
Popular routes operated by Korongo Airlines
Notable destinations on Korongo Airlines's network.
Destination list is indicative of Korongo Airlines's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Democratic Republic of the Congo
Other airlines based in Democratic Republic of the Congo
FAQ
Korongo Airlines — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Because Korongo Airlines has ceased operations, searches will instead surface available flights from active carriers where relevant.
- The international service between Lubumbashi and Johannesburg was the longest route in Korongo Airlines’ small historical network. The airline no longer operates this or any other service.
- Korongo Airlines no longer flies. Its historical network included Lubumbashi, Kinshasa, Mbuji-Mayi and Johannesburg.
- Korongo Airlines tickets are no longer available. For alternative flights in the region, fares are often lower when booked early and outside major holiday or peak business-travel periods.
- Historically, most Korongo Airlines services departed from Lubumbashi International Airport. Kinshasa’s N’Djili International Airport was another important point in its network.
- Korongo Airlines no longer publishes an active carry-on policy because it has ceased operations. Travellers booking another carrier should check that airline’s current cabin-baggage dimensions and weight limits before departure.
- Korongo Airlines used Lubumbashi International Airport as its primary hub. The airline ceased operations in 2015, so it no longer maintains an active hub.
- Korongo Airlines currently flies to no destinations because it ceased operations in September 2015. During its operating years, it maintained a small network in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa.