Brussels Airlines and its predecessor Sabena have a long standing history serving the now DRC

Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday told Brussels Airlines to reduce by nearly half the number of its weekly flights to Kinshasa, in a ramping up of tensions with its former colonial power Belgium.

The move comes after Belgian and EU officials condemned a violent DRC government crackdown on protests against President Joseph Kabila, who has ruled since 2001.

The number of Brussels Airlines flights to the capital will be "reduced from seven to four a week from Monday, February 5, 2018," said Civil Aviation Director General Jean Tshiumba Mpunga, in a letter to the airline's representative in Kinshasa.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/ar ... piral.html

For a second I thought this order came from Lufthansa...

Obviously DRC is being protectionist of their own longhaul airline that flies to Europe.

drdisque wrote:

Obviously DRC is being protectionist of their own longhaul airline that flies to Europe.

Ugh, so true. As an African myself, I am sick and tired of seeing this kind of thing happening on my continent. It only ends up hurting the country, the local businesses, and the people.

sw733 wrote:

drdisque wrote:

Obviously DRC is being protectionist of their own longhaul airline that flies to Europe.

Ugh, so true. As an African myself, I am sick and tired of seeing this kind of thing happening on my continent. It only ends up hurting the country, the local businesses, and the people.

Which airline? Congo Airways haven’t yet launched service to Europe.

On a wider note, I fervently hope that Kabila relents and realises it’s time for new leadership. Everyone has their time and his has gone.

From an aviation perspective, new leadership could really help the country grow economically and thus give Congo Airways a bigger market to serve and connect to the world.

It was a joke regarding the stupidity of limiting a foreign airline's rights to serve your country when you have no airline of your own that fills a similar role.

sw733 wrote:

drdisque wrote:

Obviously DRC is being protectionist of their own longhaul airline that flies to Europe.

Ugh, so true. As an African myself, I am sick and tired of seeing this kind of thing happening on my continent. It only ends up hurting the country, the local businesses, and the people.

Sw733 I think you missed drdisque’s sarcasm . It is a pity DRC government inserts politics over what should be a business decision. So basically they limits Brussel flights before having options in place for passengers? We all know how that’s going to end up anyways. The government cannot fool the people no more.

ubeema wrote:

sw733 wrote:

drdisque wrote:

Obviously DRC is being protectionist of their own longhaul airline that flies to Europe.

Ugh, so true. As an African myself, I am sick and tired of seeing this kind of thing happening on my continent. It only ends up hurting the country, the local businesses, and the people.

Sw733 I think you missed drdisque’s sarcasm . It is a pity DRC government inserts politics over what should be a business decision. So basically they limits Brussel flights before having options in place for passengers? We all know how that’s going to end up anyways. The government cannot fool the people no more.

The short notice floors me. Business only happens if people can fly in to inspect, sign contracts, and survey opportunities. Ghad... I know the humor, but the reality is horrible.

ubeema wrote:

sw733 wrote:

drdisque wrote:

Obviously DRC is being protectionist of their own longhaul airline that flies to Europe.

Ugh, so true. As an African myself, I am sick and tired of seeing this kind of thing happening on my continent. It only ends up hurting the country, the local businesses, and the people.

Sw733 I think you missed drdisque’s sarcasm . It is a pity DRC government inserts politics over what should be a business decision. So basically they limits Brussel flights before having options in place for passengers? We all know how that’s going to end up anyways. The government cannot fool the people no more.

sw733 didn't miss anything...I believe you did. Understanding sarcasm really comes hard today....

Apologies sw733. I stand corrected on my earlier comment.

DRC wants more $$$ from Belgium and punishes SN by limiting their Operations into the DRC. It’s all about Benjamins

MalevTU134 wrote:

ubeema wrote:

sw733 wrote:

Ugh, so true. As an African myself, I am sick and tired of seeing this kind of thing happening on my continent. It only ends up hurting the country, the local businesses, and the people.

Sw733 I think you missed drdisque’s sarcasm . It is a pity DRC government inserts politics over what should be a business decision. So basically they limits Brussel flights before having options in place for passengers? We all know how that’s going to end up anyways. The government cannot fool the people no more.

sw733 didn't miss anything...I believe you did. Understanding sarcasm really comes hard today....

Sorry I guys. I was guilty of missing the sarcasm too.
It was late and I was tired

ushermittwoch wrote:

For a second I thought this order came from Lufthansa...

...Ich auch! Gottseidank...!

IMO the govt should have taken a stronger stance and asked them to drop to 2 weekly.

Western governments have no right to pick sides thinking their forms of government are somehow superior to other countries.

Brussels made this a political decision by making comments- NOT DRC

Kashmon wrote:

IMO the govt should have taken a stronger stance and asked them to drop to 2 weekly.

Western governments have no right to pick sides thinking their forms of government are somehow superior to other countries.

Brussels made this a political decision by making comments- NOT DRC

Kabila...is that you?

And by the way...Western or not, governments have not only the right but also the obligation to condemn the violent and antidemocratic actions and attitudes of other countries. Being sovereign doesn't mean the World community shouldn't condemn these actions. Are democracies "somehow superior" to corrupt thieves and thugs in governing? You bet they are!!

Oh, and please do explain why exactly twice weekly (and not 4 times) had been the correct decision - and how that would have benefited the Congolese people...

MalevTU134 wrote:

Kashmon wrote:

IMO the govt should have taken a stronger stance and asked them to drop to 2 weekly.

Western governments have no right to pick sides thinking their forms of government are somehow superior to other countries.

Brussels made this a political decision by making comments- NOT DRC

Kabila...is that you?

And by the way...Western or not, governments have not only the right but also the obligation to condemn the violent and antidemocratic actions and attitudes of other countries. Being sovereign doesn't mean the World community shouldn't condemn these actions. Are democracies "somehow superior" to corrupt thieves and thugs in governing? You bet they are!!

Oh, and please do explain why exactly twice weekly (and not 4 times) had been the correct decision - and how that would have benefited the Congolese people...

ahem
thats cute
but your western democracies also have corrupt thieves governing so it is hypocritical.- What mega dictatorial organisation is based in Brussels?! !!!!

Will the Belgium government since it cares so much about the people- lol start railing against the Chinese Communist Party and call them EVIL and condemn them?!!!

Hypocrisy!!

your attitude is so typical- lets use a system who's modern version was heavily influenced by Judeo-Christian principles and impose it on the rest of the world and expect no retaliation...

yes it is better for the people to have a stable government then to have an air link to Brussels

It's nothing Brussels Airlines hasn't seen before. As in previous "noises" from the DRC, this too shall pass once someone high enough on the pecking order has been inconvenienced by not finding an available seat on the day they wish to travel...

Kashmon wrote:

yes it is better for the people to have a stable government then to have an air link to Brussels

Couldn't agree more! How about those elections? Not happening because hypocritical corrupt thieves in Western democracies too, I suppose?

Why do you Need a national carrier connecting to the outside worl when it is so much easier to collect the Non Objection Fee