The Kinshasa/N’Djili Airport is the largest of the six international airports in DRC. It remains the country's most active airport freight terminal. Despite its importance, the existing facility is not in line with international standards and regulations and its location does not provide room to grow nor to facilitate the proper handling of materials.

However, some improvements happened in the last 2 years including a new international passenger terminal and a new control tower. Additional refueling points and taxi extension are also on their way. 

Runways

Existing infrastructure dating back to the independence period have suffered from the cumulative effect of lack of maintenance and successive wars. The Kinshasa N’Djili runway has suffered some damages (cracks, rot, potholes, sinking etc.). A rehabilitation project is currently taking place.

 

Helicopter Pad(s)

There is no landing pad or area or platform for helicopter per se. However, there are some parts of the tarmac area at the Ndjili airport that have been arranged to allow for all types of aircraft to safely land and park.

Airport Infrastructure Details

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator

Hangar for aircraft maintenance                                              Control tower (soon to be replaced)

Total aircraft movements

Total passengers

BOEING 787                                                                             New Passenger Terminal

Total Cargo

Cargo planes commonly used in DRC

ANTONOV 26                                                                         BOEING 727

Airport Operating Details

Handling companies present on the ground (4):

CONGO HANDLING SERVICE / CHS

Congo Handling Service's cargo handling equipment list

AFRICAN TRANSPORT SYSTEMS / ATS

Information on ATS can be found on its website.

 

CARGOMAN

Cargoman's cargo handling equipment list

 

GAS / Global Aviation Service

Information on ATS can be found on its website.

Storage Facilities

There is a public bonded warehouse which is under the management of DGDA (Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises). Only 2 private bonded warehouses are available (Bolloré Africa Logistics – BAL and DHL express): Bolloré’s is 600 sqm and DHL’s is smaller. For large amounts of cargo, BAL usually transfers the goods to their warehouse in town (named Air France Cargo location), with a special customs procedure (enlèvement d’urgence permanent).

NB: BAL has a cold room (2 x 40’ reefers) in the airport which can activated upon request. DGDA has one too (190 cbm), but it’s believed unreliable (tbc). DHL’s is apparently in renovation.

Boloré’s warehouse                                                              DHL warehouse

Airfield Cost

See 2.2 Democratic Republic of Congo Aviation

Navigation Charges

See 2.2 Democratic Republic of Congo Aviation

Cargo Terminal Charges

See 2.2 Democratic Republic of Congo Aviation

Security

The main weaknesses of the air transport system in DRC include the advanced state of dilapidation of airport infrastructure, obsolete air navigation equipment and lack of resources to enable the administration to effectively perform its air safety and security supervision functions. In addition, the country is in a strategic position in the air transport industry at the regional and international levels because most flights between Southern Africa and Europe as well as between Southern Africa, West, and East Africa use its vast airspace without adequate visualization or surveillance systems.