2 September 2026

Congo Advances Air Transport Plans as US Talks Resume and Air France Prepares Network Changes

Written by:

Phillippa Dean

Why this article matters
The Republic of the Congo is addressing several constraints on air connectivity at the same time, from international market access and airport infrastructure to the affordability of domestic services. Renewed discussions with the United States could reopen a bilateral air transport process that has been stalled since 2018, while Air France’s fleet transition is prompting a technical assessment of whether Pointe-Noire airport can accommodate future operating requirements. Domestically, the government’s consideration of a Public Service Obligation for the Brazzaville–Impfondo route highlights the difficulty of maintaining commercially viable air services to lower-traffic regions where alternative transport links are limited. Any intervention will need to balance accessibility, operating costs and continuity of service without assuming that the proposed mechanism will proceed.

Of Interest
- Congo and the United States agreed on 17 August 2026 to revive air transport discussions that the Congolese government says have been stalled since 2018.
- The government’s longer-term objective is to establish a direct air link between the Republic of the Congo and the United States.
- Congolese technical services have been instructed to assess whether Pointe-Noire Airport’s runway will require modification as Air France progressively introduces Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft.
- Air France is expected to operate seven weekly flights to Brazzaville and two weekly flights to Pointe-Noire from October 2026.
- Reported fares on the Brazzaville–Impfondo route range from FCFA155,000 to FCFA200,000, prompting a government review of the route’s operating economics.
- A Public Service Obligation, potentially supported by financial compensation, is among the options being considered for maintaining regular Brazzaville–Impfondo air services.

The Republic of the Congo is advancing discussions on international air connectivity and airport infrastructure, with the government reopening air transport talks with the United States while assessing requirements associated with Air France’s future fleet and network plans.

Transport, Civil Aviation and Merchant Marine Minister Josué Rodrigue Ngouonimba met Amanda Jacobsen, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Congo, in Brazzaville on 17 August 2026, with the two sides agreeing to revive air transport discussions that the minister said had been stalled since 2018.

According to Ngouonimba, the longer-term objective is to establish a direct air link between Congo and the United States.

The meeting formed part of wider transport cooperation between the two countries, including discussions around infrastructure modernisation and improving the contribution of transport to the Congolese economy. The government is also seeking greater US investment in transport and logistics infrastructure.

Three days later, Ngouonimba met Air France representative in the Republic of the Congo, Jacques Zinnermann, to discuss the airline’s operations and the implications of its fleet renewal for Congolese airport infrastructure.

The discussions covered Air France’s progressive introduction of Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft as its Airbus A330 fleet is withdrawn. According to the minister, the transition raised the question of whether the runway at the Pointe-Noire airport would need to be extended to accommodate future operating requirements.

Ngouonimba said the relevant technical services had been instructed to assess the runway and determine what measures may be required.

Air France is also expected to increase its Congo frequencies from October 2026. The minister said the airline would operate seven weekly flights to Brazzaville and two weekly flights to Pointe-Noire.

Cost of Air Services Under the Spotlight

Separately, the government has acknowledged concerns over the cost of domestic air travel on the Brazzaville–Impfondo route, where Brazza Airlines tickets have been reported at between FCFA155,000 and FCFA200,000.

The issue was raised in the Senate on 7 August 2026, with Likouala senators arguing that the fares place the service beyond the reach of many residents. Transport, Civil Aviation and Merchant Marine Minister Josué Rodrigue Ngouonimba said the government had begun reviewing the operating costs associated with the route, including fuel, maintenance, staffing, insurance, airport and air navigation charges, taxes and the economics of serving a low-traffic market.

Among the options under consideration is the introduction of a Public Service Obligation for the Brazzaville–Impfondo route, potentially supported by a financial compensation mechanism to maintain a regular service while improving its commercial viability. Ngouonimba said the route was important to territorial connectivity in Likouala, where road and river transport alternatives remain constrained.

Brazza Airlines is a privately owned operator focused on business aviation and on-demand services, and has indicated that it intends to expand air transport access in the Republic of the Congo, including services to Likouala.