AirDC

Infobox Airline
airline = airDC

logo_size =
fleet_size = 2
destinations =
IATA = -
ICAO = -
callsign = -
parent =
company_slogan =
founded = October 2007
headquarters =
key_people = Philippe de Moerloose, Michel Meyfroidt
hubs = Kinshasa International Airport
secondary_hubs =
focus_cities =
frequent_flyer =
lounge =
alliance =
website = http://www.airdc.com/

airDC is an airline based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It will fly scheduled services within the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries [ [http://company.brusselsairlines.com/en/news/detail.aspx?uri=tcm:141-17451 Brussels Airlines press release December 3, 2007] ] [ [http://allafrica.com/stories/200712031463.html allAfrica.com: Congo-Kinshasa: AirDC Takes to the Skies Early 2008 October 31, 2007] ] .

History

The airline was founded by Hewa Bora Airways and Brussels Airlines. First flight was foreseen to be in the end of July 2008. All maintenance facilities at N'Djili airport have been prepared in August 2008.

Hewa Bora Airways owns 51% of the shares in the airline, Brussels Airlines the remaining 49% through its Mauritius based subsidiary Pan African Airlines Leasing Company Ltd which is to operate the aircraft for airDC.

The name chosen is a reference to the country's abbreviated french name: "République démocratique du Congo" (RDC).

On 24 April 2008, AirDC announced they intended to proceed despite the loss of an HBA DC-9 on 15 April. [ [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/04/24/223229/hewa-bora-ban-fails-to-derail-brussels-airlines-airdc.html "Hewa Bora ban fails to derail Brussels Airlines' AirDC plans"] "Flight Global" 2008-04-24]

In July 2008, it appeared the project for creating this new airline had been delayed. The Congolese government did not give the required autorizations to start the new airline. It was rumored that the crisis between Congolese and Belgian government and the recent agreement between the Congolese government and RAK Airways for a new airline "killed" prematurely AirDC. (source: from an insider of Brussels Airlines, a press release coming soon).

In September 2008, after the withdrawal of RAK Airways, Brussels Airlines has relaunched the AirDC program, with full support of Lufthansa, the new shareholder. The first flight of AirDC is planned in March 2009.

Fleet

The airDC fleet includes the following aircraft (at April 2008):

External links

* [http://www.ch-aviation.ch/aircraft.php?search=set&airline=DCA&al_op=1 airDC Fleet]
* [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?airlinesearch=AirDC&distinct_entry=true photo at airliners.net]

References