Ethiopian Airlines has signed a lease for two brand‑new ATR 72‑600 turboprops to be operated by 49%-owned Air Congo. Managed by Ethiopian, the aircraft are due to enter service in February 2026 and are intended to open thin, remote domestic routes and improve route profitability.
Discovered |
Briefing
The move complements Ethiopian’s broader fleet expansion strategy — it comes alongside the carrier’s recent firm order for six A350-900s and its commitment for 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, showing a simultaneous push at both regional and long‑haul capacity.
Two ATR 72‑600s arriving in February 2026 provide immediate, lower‑cost regional lift for Air Congo via a managed‑lease model — a common approach to scale thin domestic networks without large upfront capital outlays, and one that targets improved route economics on remote fields.
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(IT) Ethiopian Airlines leases two ATR-72/600 aircraft • avionews.it
Air Congo on ch-aviation • ch-aviation
(DE) Ethiopian Airlines leases two ATR 72-600s to Air Congo • airliners.de
Ethiopian Airlines Leases Two ATR 72-600s for Air Congo • Aviation Source
(FR) Ethiopian orders six additional Airbus A350s and leases two ATRs for Air Congo • Le Journal de l’Aviation
(FR) Ethiopian Airlines leases two ATR 72-600s for Air Congo operations • aeromorning.com
Ethiopian Airlines leases two ATR 72-600s to support Air Congo's regional operations • World Airline News
Air Congo to add two ATR 72-600 turboprops, due to enter service February 2026 • Airline Economics
FlightGlobal
• Lewis Harper