Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo - 2.2.1 Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa N'Djili SeniorInternational Airport
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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. 

Location Details

Country

The Democratic Republic of Congo

Latitude

-4.385736

Province / District

Kinshasa

Longitude

15.44449

Town or City (Closest)

Kinshasa

Elevation (ft and m)

1,027 ft / 313.03 m

Airfield Name

N’DJILI

IATA and ICAO Codes

FIH/ FZAA

Open From (hours)

24 hrs

Open To (hours)

24 hrs

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.

Runway #1

Runway Dimensions

3,300 m x 60 m (previously 4,700 m to be used as US space shuttle emergency landing strip)

Orientation

243°/063°

Surface

Asphalt, asphaltic concrete, tar macadam, or bitumen bound macadam.

 

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.

Helipad #1

Present (Yes / No)

Yes

Largest helicopter that can land

Mi 26

Width and Length (metres)

n/a

Surface

n/a

Airport Infrastructure Details

Customs

Yes

JET A-1 fuel

Yes

Immigration

Yes

AVGAS 100

Yes

Terminal Building

Yes

Point Refueling (now 14, soon +7)

Yes

Passenger Terminal

Yes

Air Starter Units

Yes

Cargo terminal

Yes

Ground Power (mobile)

Yes

Pax transport to airfield

Yes

Ground Handling Services

Yes

Control Tower

Yes

Latrine Servicing

Yes

Weather Facilities

Yes

Fire Fighting Category (ICAO) LEVEL 9

Yes

Catering Services

Yes

De-icing Equipment

No

Base Operating Room

Yes

Parking Ramp Lighting

Yes

Airport Radar

No

Approach & Runway Lights

Yes

NDB

Yes

VOR

Yes

ILS

Yes

ADS-B

Yes



Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator

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

Total aircraft movements

Movements

Year

Domestic

International

Arrival

Departure

Total

Arrival

Departure

Total

Grand Total

2012

5,690

5,810 

11,500 

3,581 

3,473 

7,054

18,554 

2013 5,849 5,864 11,713 4,010 3,979 7,989 19,702
2014 5,496 5,591 11,087 4,159 4,056 8,215 19,302

Source: RVA/Service statistiques/Division d'exploitation    


Total passengers

Passengers

Year

Domestic

International

Arrival

Departure

Total

Arrival

Departure

Total

Grand Total

2012

14,1223

171,453 

312,676 

206,036 

208,430 

414,466

727,142

2013 131,606 142,666 274,272 240,796 238,860 479,656 753,928
2014 139,618 144,068 283,686 245,589 244,063 489,652 773,338

Source: RVA/Service statistiques/Division d'exploitation

BOEING 787                                                                             New Passenger Terminal


Total Cargo

AIR FREIGHT

Year

Domestic

International

Arrival

Departure

Total

Arrival

Departure

Total

Grand Total

2012

13,896

35,160 

49,056 

15,271 

5,220 

20,348

69,404 

2013 16,514 35,541 52,055 19,037 5,310 24,347 76,403
2014 14,004 33,143 47,147 21,053 4,747 25,801 72,949

Source: RVA/Service statistiques/Division d'exploitation


Cargo planes commonly used in DRC

ANTONOV 26                                                                         BOEING 727

Airport Operating Details

Operating Details
Maximum sized aircraft which can be offloaded on bulk cargo:

All type of common cargo-carrying aircraft types including:

  • Boeing B767-300F with a maximum load volume of 438 cbm
  • Lockheed L1011 Tristar with a maximum load volume of 420 cbm
  • Douglas DC10 with a maximum load volume of 451 cbm
  • Boeing MD11 with a maximum load volume of 600 cbm
  • Ilyushin IL-76 with a maximum load volume of 580 cbm
  • Boeing B747-100 with a maximum load of 585 cbm
  • Boeing B777-300F with a maximum load volume of 633 cbm
  • Boeing B747-200 with a maximum load volume of 605 cbm
  • Boeing B747-400 with a maximum load volume of 605 cbm
  • Antonov AN-124 with a maximum load volume of 800 cbm
  • Antonov AN-225 with a maximum load volume of 1100 cbm

 NB: AN 225 landing not confirmed but C5 Galaxy did land.

Maximum sized aircraft that can be offloaded on pallet see above
Total aircraft parking area (m²)

There are 3 Parking areas:

The Congolese Air Force parking

The "Hangar Technique" parking, which is currently undergoing extension, has a surface of 31,500 square meters. It can accommodate up to 10 aircraft.

The Tarmac or Central Parking allocated to both National and International airlines including cargo totals 60,000 square meters.

The Central parking has 14 parking among which the Parking #9, 10 and 11 are dedicated to Cargo freighters.

(Source: RVA N'Djili, Division circulation Aérienne)
Storage Area (mt) Very limited * Cubic Meters (m³) n/a
Cargo Handling Equipment Available (Yes / No) Yes If "Yes" specify below
Elevators / Hi Loaders (Yes / No) Yes Max Capacity (mt) n/a
Can elevators / Hi Loaders reach the upper level of a B747 (Yes / No) Yes
Loading Ramps (Yes / No) Yes


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. 

 

 

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