A new aviation memorandum between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and France will increase the number of weekly frequencies authorised for each country's airlines from seven to 11 beginning in April 2027, while giving Air Congo a framework to maintain its growing presence on the Kinshasa--Paris market.
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo --- September 17, 2026 --- Air links between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and France are set for a significant expansion after the two countries agreed to increase authorised weekly flight frequencies from seven to 11 for each side beginning in April 2027.
The change represents an increase of about 57% in available weekly traffic rights and forms part of a new memorandum of understanding between the DRC and France on air services.
The French Embassy in the DRC said the agreement creates a framework for a lasting Air Congo presence on the Kinshasa--Paris route and gives airlines from both countries additional room to expand their schedules.
Congolese state news agency ACP reported on September 15 that the new ceiling will take effect from April 2027.
The agreement does not mean Air Congo itself will automatically operate 11 weekly Paris flights. Rather, it increases the number of frequencies that can be operated under the bilateral air-services framework for each country's designated airlines.
Air Congo already flies to Paris five times a week
The agreement comes only weeks after Air Congo entered the Paris market.
Air Congo launched service to Paris Charles de Gaulle on August 18, 2026, making Paris its second European destination after Brussels.
The airline currently schedules five flights per week on the route, operating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, according to aviation publication Air Journal.
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DRC–France Deal Raises Weekly Paris Flight Rights to 11
Sep 17, 2026
Sep 17, 2026
7 min read
Published
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A new aviation memorandum between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and France will increase the number of weekly frequencies authorised for each country's airlines from seven to 11 beginning in April 2027, while giving Air Congo a framework to maintain its growing presence on the Kinshasa--Paris market.
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo --- September 17, 2026 --- Air links between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and France are set for a significant expansion after the two countries agreed to increase authorised weekly flight frequencies from seven to 11 for each side beginning in April 2027.
The change represents an increase of about 57% in available weekly traffic rights and forms part of a new memorandum of understanding between the DRC and France on air services.
The French Embassy in the DRC said the agreement creates a framework for a lasting Air Congo presence on the Kinshasa--Paris route and gives airlines from both countries additional room to expand their schedules.
Congolese state news agency ACP reported on September 15 that the new ceiling will take effect from April 2027.
The agreement does not mean Air Congo itself will automatically operate 11 weekly Paris flights. Rather, it increases the number of frequencies that can be operated under the bilateral air-services framework for each country's designated airlines.
Air Congo already flies to Paris five times a week
The agreement comes only weeks after Air Congo entered the Paris market.
Air Congo launched service to Paris Charles de Gaulle on August 18, 2026, making Paris its second European destination after Brussels.
The airline currently schedules five flights per week on the route, operating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, according to aviation publication Air Journal.
Paris airport ground handler Groupe Europe Handling also confirmed the arrival of Air Congo's inaugural Paris service and the five-times-weekly schedule.
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The operation is not a simple nonstop round trip between Kinshasa and Paris. Air Congo uses a triangular routing of Kinshasa--Brussels--Paris--Kinshasa, according to AeroRoutes, which reported that the five-weekly schedule has been extended into the northern winter 2026/27 season.
The long-haul service uses a Boeing 787-8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines, Air Congo's strategic partner and 49% shareholder. Air Congo itself is majority-owned by the Congolese state, which holds 51%.
What changes in April 2027
The key change is the expansion of bilateral traffic rights.
Under the current framework, airlines on each side can operate up to seven weekly frequencies. Beginning in April 2027, that ceiling will rise to 11 weekly frequencies for each country.
Moving from seven to 11 represents four additional authorised weekly frequencies, or an increase of approximately 57%.
The French Embassy said the additional rights should allow airlines to develop their existing offers and could also create room for new services.
For Air Congo, the memorandum is especially important because it provides a bilateral framework for the Congolese carrier to continue serving Paris from spring 2027.
7SUR7.CD, citing the French Embassy, reported that the arrangement opens the way for a durable Air Congo presence on the Kinshasa--Paris corridor.
The precise distribution of the additional frequencies among individual airlines has not yet been announced.
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More capacity does not automatically mean 11 Air Congo flights
The distinction between traffic rights and an airline's actual schedule is important.
The memorandum raises the maximum number of weekly frequencies available under the bilateral framework. It does not require Air Congo, Air France or another carrier to immediately use every available frequency.
Air Congo currently operates five weekly Paris rotations. Any increase in its own schedule would depend on commercial decisions, aircraft availability, regulatory approvals and operational planning.
The agreement nevertheless gives the Congolese side considerably more room to expand services without being constrained by the previous seven-frequency ceiling.
It could also support additional competition and capacity on one of the DRC's most important European travel corridors.
Paris is part of Air Congo's rapid international expansion
Air Congo began operations in December 2024 and has expanded quickly from domestic services into regional and long-haul markets.
The airline's own corporate profile says the company is a joint venture between the DRC government, with a 51% stake, and Ethiopian Airlines, with 49%.
Its long-haul expansion accelerated in 2026.
Air Congo launched Kinshasa--Brussels service on July 1 using an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-8. AeroRoutes reported five weekly flights on the Brussels route.
Paris followed on August 18, extending the same long-haul operation into a triangular European routing.
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The airline's current booking platform lists both Brussels and Paris among its international destinations. Air Congo
More options for Congolese and French travellers
The French Embassy presented the expanded aviation agreement as a way to give passengers more choice between the two countries.
The additional traffic rights could support more capacity for people travelling for family visits, study, work, business and tourism, while potentially creating room for airlines to introduce new services.
The agreement is particularly relevant to the Congolese diaspora in France and to businesses operating between the two countries.
However, passengers should not interpret the agreement as an announcement that 11 Air Congo flights will immediately become bookable in April 2027. Airlines will still need to publish their individual schedules.
DRC and France also discuss sustainable aviation
The memorandum goes beyond additional flight frequencies.
According to the French Embassy, France proposed including commitments aimed at making aviation more sustainable, in line with international obligations undertaken by both countries, including through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The two governments are therefore using the new arrangement both to expand connectivity and to continue discussions over the environmental future of air transport.
For Air Congo, the most immediate significance is commercial: the agreement gives its Paris operation a clearer path beyond its initial launch period and increases the bilateral capacity available for future growth.
With Air Congo already operating five weekly Paris services, the increase from seven to 11 authorised frequencies from April 2027 creates substantially more room for the Congolese carrier --- and other designated airlines --- to expand service between the DRC and France.
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