Franco-Italian turboprop manufacturer ATR has announced that Ethiopian Airlines will lease two brand new ATR 72-600 aircraft to Congo’s national carrier Air Congo, in which Ethiopian holds a 49% stake.
ATR said that the agreement, made during Dubai Airshow 2025, represents a “significant milestone in ATR’s expansion in Africa”.
The manufacturer said that Ethiopian Airlines “relies on the most advanced, fuel-efficient and cost-effective regional aircraft to connect regions across Congo.”
The leasing agreement follows a strategic partnership announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2024, where ATR and Ethiopian Airlines agreed to collaborate on developing ATR maintenance capabilities in Ethiopia.
This initiative will establish Ethiopian Airlines as a regional MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) hub for ATR aircraft, serving operators across the continent.
“With the arrival of our new ATRs and the development of our MRO capabilities to support them, Ethiopian Airlines is ready to offer a complete ATR solution, making it easier for airlines in Africa to have choices in serving regional connections across the continent,” said Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group.
Mesfin Biru Weldegeorgis, CEO of Air Congo, stated that the two new ATR 72-600s are equipped with PW127XT engines and are “the first of their kind to operate in the country”, allowing the country to serve remote airports.
The aircraft are expected to begin service in February 2026.
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