The milestone was marked in Kinshasa with a colourful ceremony attended by senior DRC government officials, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew, airline executives, and aviation authorities from the host nation.

Ethiopian began operating flights to Kinshasa in 1975 and has since maintained uninterrupted services to the city. Over five decades, the airline has played a central role in strengthening socio-economic ties between Kinshasa and its wider international network.

“As a Pan-African airline, celebrating 50 years of uninterrupted service to the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a big milestone for Ethiopian,” said Mesfin Tasew. “The moment highlights our unwavering commitment to serving the nation and the entire continent in general. We are proud of the strong bond we have built with DRC and its people over the five decades we’ve been operational in the country. As we rejoice in this momentous occasion, we look forward to expanding our services more to the country and continue serving our passengers on the route.”

Today, Ethiopian Airlines operates 32 weekly passenger flights to three destinations in the DRC: Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Goma. In addition, the airline provides dedicated cargo services to Kinshasa, supporting trade and logistics links.

Ethiopian’s flights to and from the DRC act as a vital bridge for people and businesses, underlining its mission to connect Africa with itself and with the rest of the world. Currently, the carrier operates the largest network in Africa, offering extensive passenger and cargo services across the continent and beyond.