Ethiopian Airlines Expands Air Congo Fleet With Two ATR 72-600s

Ethiopian Airlines Group Secures ATR 72-600s for Air Congo

Ethiopian Airlines Group announced a strategic expansion into the Democratic Republic of the Congo through the lease of two ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft. The deal, confirmed by the airline and aircraft manufacturer ATR on Nov. 21, 2025, designates the aircraft for operation by Air Congo, the DRC's national carrier in which Ethiopian holds a 49% stake.

Operational Details and Regional Strategy

The aircraft are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW127XT engines and will be supplied by lessor Abelo. Scheduled to enter service in February 2026, the ATR 72-600s will support domestic and short-haul regional routes, targeting secondary cities and remote areas within the DRC. This acquisition marks the first major fleet expansion for Air Congo, aligning with Ethiopian Airlines Group's broader multi-hub strategy to improve intra-African connectivity.

According to Flightradar24, the deployment underscores ATR's positioning as a key player in African regional aviation. By utilizing turboprops optimized for short-haul operations and lower fuel consumption, the partnership aims to address infrastructure challenges in the DRC while feeding traffic into Ethiopian's central hub at Addis Ababa.