Kinshasa Airport

N'djili International Airport (FIH / FZAA)

The country's main airport and the busiest of the DRC's international airports, N'djili lies around 20 km southeast of the centre of Kinshasa. Its runway, of the order of 4,700 m, is among the longest in Africa and accommodates every type of aircraft without restriction, from business jets to ultra-long-range jets arriving non-stop from Europe.

Set at around 310 m of elevation, N'djili is the preferred international gateway to the Congolese capital and, more broadly, to Central Africa. Its ability to receive the largest aircraft makes it the reference field for an intercontinental flight.

History and modernisation of N'djili

Commissioned in the 1950s, N'djili first served as a platform for the country's historic airline before establishing itself as the DRC's main airport. The inauguration of a new international terminal in 2015 markedly improved the passenger experience: VIP lounges, currency exchange, ATMs, cafés and shops.

For business aviation, these facilities make for a smooth, comfortable arrival, away from the densest flows. Our teams coordinate your reception and the processing of formalities for a seamless journey.

Practical information and access

Allow around thirty minutes between N'djili and the Gombe district, the heart of business and diplomatic life in Kinshasa. The airport provides customs and immigration on site and operates international traffic.

Our teams arrange your reception at the aircraft steps, ground handling and your private transfer to your hotel or meeting. Fuel, slot and security planning is built into our service.

N'Dolo (NLO / FZAB), the city-centre airport

Closer to the centre, in the Barumbu district, N'Dolo is a secondary airport for regional and domestic links. Its shorter runway restricts it to light aircraft under 15 tonnes: it suits turboprops and small jets, but not larger aircraft. Depending on your aircraft and itinerary, our teams determine the most suitable airport between N'djili and N'Dolo.

The other airports of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Beyond Kinshasa, the DRC has several airports that our teams serve according to your itinerary across the country:

• Kinshasa-N'djili (FIH / FZAA): the main international airport
• Kinshasa-N'Dolo (NLO / FZAB): the city-centre airport, light aircraft
• Lubumbashi-Luano (FBM / FZQA): gateway to the Katanga mining region
• Goma (GOM / FZNA): the east of the country, on Lake Kivu
• Kisangani-Bangoka (FKI / FZIC): the northeast, on the Congo River
• Mbuji-Mayi (MJM / FZWA): the centre of the country

Operating to Central Africa: the value of a broker

Flying to the DRC requires rigorous preparation: landing and overflight permits, ground-handling coordination, fuel planning, security and local formalities. This is precisely where the value of a broker proves itself.

IBC Aviation orchestrates the entire logistics, in liaison with approved agents on the ground, for a smooth flight to a demanding destination. Our knowledge of the Congolese and Central African environment secures every step, from the permit request to the final transfer.

Popular private jet routes to or from Kinshasa

• Kinshasa-Paris: around 7h30 flight
• Kinshasa-Brussels: around 7h45
• Kinshasa-Geneva: around 7h
• Kinshasa-Dubai: around 7h
• Kinshasa-Johannesburg: around 3h30
• Kinshasa-Lagos: around 2h
• Kinshasa-Lubumbashi: around 2h

A heavy jet flies to Europe or the Gulf without a stop: with six passengers, the Falcon 900LX covers about 8,800 km according to our fleet page, against a little over 6,000 km to Paris. An ultra-long-range jet remains the right choice for a full cabin or a night on board. Across the continent, Johannesburg and Lagos are a few hours away.

IBC Aviation to or from Kinshasa

Our teams arrange your flight to or from Kinshasa, handle permits and ground handling, and select the aircraft best suited to this destination. Available 24/7:

• France: +33 1 41 69 88 88
• Switzerland: +41 22 880 28 88
• Email: contact@ibc-aviation.com

Frequently asked questions

Which airport should I use to fly private to Kinshasa?

N'djili (FIH / FZAA), around 20 km from the centre, is the main airport: its runway of nearly 4,700 m, one of the longest in Africa, accommodates every type of jet, including ultra-long-range. N'Dolo (NLO), more central, is restricted to light aircraft under 15 tonnes.

How much does it cost to charter a private jet to Kinshasa?

The price depends on the aircraft, the number of passengers, the itinerary and the dates. To Europe or the Gulf, a heavy jet starts from €6,500 per hour and an ultra-long-range jet from €9,000 to €12,000 per hour; a regional flight needs only a lighter jet. Our teams provide a personalised, all-inclusive quote within the hour.

Can I reach Kinshasa non-stop from Europe?

Yes, from the heavy jet category upwards: allow about 7h30 from Paris, 7h45 from Brussels and 7 hours from Geneva. A super midsize such as the Challenger 350 has to stop to refuel.

Do I need a visa and permits to fly to the DRC?

Yes. The visa is applied for online on the platform of the Directorate General of Migration, which processes applications within 72 hours. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory: according to the French foreign ministry, a traveller without a certificate is not allowed to stay. The landing permit is requested from the DRC Civil Aviation Authority, and Niger, Cameroon and Congo require their own permits for a private flight overflying them. IBC Aviation handles these steps, ground handling and fuel.

Which other DRC airports do you serve?

Besides N'djili and N'Dolo in Kinshasa, our teams serve Lubumbashi (FBM), Goma (GOM), Kisangani (FKI) and Mbuji-Mayi (MJM), among others, depending on your itinerary across the country.

How long is the flight between Kinshasa and Lubumbashi or Johannesburg?

Around 2 hours to Lubumbashi and 3h30 to Johannesburg. Kinshasa is thus a natural base for reaching across Central and Southern Africa.

Does IBC Aviation serve Central Africa?

Yes. Our teams arrange flights to Kinshasa and across Central Africa more broadly, in liaison with approved agents on the ground, 24/7.