Brussels Airlines’ first flight to Africa took place on February 12, 1925, with service between Brussels and Léopoldville, now Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On Wednesday (February 12, 2025), Brussels Airlines marked 100 years of service to Africa. On February 12, 1925, the carrier’s first flight to Africa took place with service between Brussels and Léopoldville (now Kinshasa), the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). One hundred years ago, three intrepid Belgian aviators took off in a Handley Page W.8F aircraft on the ambitious journey between Brussels and Léopoldville, completing the 8,000 kilometer trip in 51 days. Onboard the ‘Princesse Marie-José’ was navigator Edmond Thieffry, pilot Léopold Roger, and engineer Jef de Bruycker. The crew faced numerous obstacles during the harrowing journey, including unpredictable weather, mechanical issues, and the vast expanse of the African continent.
A commitment to the African continent has always been at the heart of Brussels Airlines’ mission. With 18 destinations across sub-Saharan Africa, the carrier plays a vital role in connecting people, cultures, and economies. This commitment was further solidified with the launch of service to Nairobi in June 2024, bringing Lufthansa Group’s share of sub-Saharan destinations to 56 percent. In addition to major hubs, Brussels Airlines also serves niche VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) markets, such as Banjul (The Gambia), Bujumbura (Burundi), Freetown (Sierra Leone) and Monrovia (Liberia). The carrier’s dedication to Africa was clearly evident during the 2014 Ebola crisis, when Brussels Airlines was the only carrier that continued to link Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone with Europe.
Brussels Airlines Celebrates 100 Years of Service to Africa - Courtesy Brussels Airlines
In Wednesday’s announcement, Brussels Airlines’ CEO, Dorothea von Boxberg, said,
“Looking ahead, we will expand our long-haul fleet with an 11th Airbus A330 starting operations in June, followed by two more aircraft in the coming years. This year’s additional 10% capacity will strengthen the existing routes while we also explore new destinations as from next year. As we embark on the next century of aviation between Belgium and the African continent, we will continue to invest, innovate, and serve our passengers with our expertise, commitment and passion.”
Brussels Airlines is the national carrier of Belgium and a member of the Lufthansa Group. The carrier is the Africa expert within the Group, and connects the European capital to over 85 destinations including 18 in Sub-Saharan Africa. Brussels Airlines operates a fleet of 43 aircraft including 34 Airbus A320 Family and 10 A330-300s. The airline has 3,200 team members and supports over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs. Brussels Airlines offers competitive fares and the highest levels of service quality, including bespoke onboard meals curated by yearly changing ‘Belgian Star Chefs.’ Founded in 2002, Brussels Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance and is 100 percent owned by Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
Source: Brussels Airlines