Gomair

Gomair is a charter airline from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, based at Goma Airport in North Kivu. The airline was established in 1996, when the country was still known as Zaire, to provide passenger and cargo charter services. Following the country's transition to the name Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1997, Gomair continued operating in the region's difficult aviation environment, where charter operators play an important role in connecting cities that have limited scheduled air service and in moving personnel, equipment, and freight. The airline's operating profile has included both passenger and cargo work. Its reported fleet history includes Boeing 737 aircraft, Boeing 727 aircraft, ATR 72 turboprops, and Fokker 50 aircraft. The fleet has therefore covered a mixture of short- and medium-range passenger operations and freight-oriented missions. Gomair's regional reach has extended beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo to destinations associated with the Great Lakes and East African aviation markets, including Kigali in Rwanda and Entebbe and Kampala in Uganda. Gomair's position is closely tied to the practical requirements of regional charter aviation rather than to a large scheduled network or a globally marketed consumer brand. Its services have included passenger charters and cargo charters, with the airline's aircraft used for missions requiring flexible routing and capacity. On 20 January 2023, Gomair added an ATR 72 freighter, marking an expansion of its dedicated cargo capability. The airline has also operated under significant safety and regulatory scrutiny. A Gomair Antonov An-26 crashed during landing on 20 December 2018 after delivering election equipment; all seven people aboard died. On 16 June 2022, a Boeing 737-300 experienced a left landing-gear collapse. In addition, Gomair is subject to the European Union operating ban applied to airlines certified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The restriction reflects the country's wider regulatory status under European aviation-safety rules and limits Gomair's ability to conduct commercial operations in the European Union. On 4 February 2025, an ATR 72 operated by Gomair was reported seized by rebels. The incident illustrates the security risks faced by aviation operators working in and around eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite these operational, safety, and security constraints, reference material identifies Gomair as active and focused primarily on passenger and cargo charter activity.

Gomair was founded in 1996 to operate passenger and cargo charter flights in what was then Zaire. The carrier entered service during a period when air transport was particularly important for linking widely separated communities and supporting commercial, governmental, and logistical activity in Central Africa. In 1997, Zaire was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gomair continued as a Congolese aviation operator. The airline is based at Goma Airport in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its business model has centered on charter flying rather than on a large public timetable. This has allowed it to support both passenger movements and freight assignments, including missions requiring aircraft to operate on routes or schedules not normally served by conventional scheduled carriers. Gomair has also been associated with cross-border regional destinations including Kigali, Entebbe, and Kampala, extending its activity into the wider Great Lakes and East African region. Over time, Gomair has used a mixed fleet. Reported aircraft types include the Boeing 727-200, Boeing 737-200, Boeing 737-300, Fokker 50, and ATR 72. The combination of jet and turboprop equipment reflects the varied requirements of charter work, from passenger transport to regional cargo missions. On 20 January 2023, the airline added its first ATR 72 freighter, giving its cargo operations a more explicitly freighter-oriented platform. Gomair's history also includes serious operational incidents. On 20 December 2018, one of its Antonov An-26 aircraft crashed during landing after transporting election equipment. The wreckage was found after several hours, and all seven occupants were reported killed. On 16 June 2022, a Boeing 737-300 suffered a left landing-gear collapse. These events form an important part of the airline's public safety record. The carrier operates in a challenging security and regulatory environment. Gomair is included in the European Union air-safety ban affecting airlines certified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, preventing normal commercial operations to the European Union. Eastern Congo's conflict environment has also directly affected the airline: on 4 February 2025, an ATR 72 was reported seized by rebels. Reference material continues to describe Gomair as active, with passenger and cargo charters remaining its principal business focus.

• 2025

  ATR 72 seized by rebels

  [1]Gomairen.wikipedia.org

  An ATR 72 operated by Gomair was reported seized by rebels.

• 2023

  First ATR 72 freighter added

  [1]Gomairen.wikipedia.org

  Gomair expanded its cargo capability by adding an ATR 72 freighter.

• 2022

  Boeing 737-300 landing-gear collapse

  [1]Gomairen.wikipedia.org

  A Gomair Boeing 737-300 suffered a collapse of its left landing gear.

• 2018

  An-26 fatal landing crash

  [1]Gomairen.wikipedia.org

  A Gomair Antonov An-26 crashed on landing after delivering election equipment, killing all seven occupants.

• 1997

  Operating country becomes the Democratic Republic of the Congo

  [1]Gomairen.wikipedia.org

  Zaire was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo while Gomair continued its operations as a Congolese carrier.

• 1996

  Gomair is founded

  [1]Gomairen.wikipedia.org

  The airline was established to operate passenger and cargo charter services in Zaire.

A regional Congolese charter carrier serving passenger and cargo requirements in the Great Lakes region, with an emphasis on flexible operations rather than a broad scheduled-airline network.

• Passenger aviation · 1996

  Passenger charter services

  Gomair's passenger business is built around charter flights rather than a large scheduled network. Its aircraft have been used to move passengers within the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to nearby regional destinations, including points associated with Rwanda and Uganda. Charter operations provide flexible routing and scheduling for organizations, groups, and other customers requiring dedicated capacity.

• Air freight · 1996

  Cargo charter services

  Cargo chartering has been part of Gomair's business since its foundation. The airline has used its fleet to transport freight and equipment on assignments requiring flexible capacity and routing. Its cargo activity includes operations supported by turboprop equipment and, from 2023, a dedicated ATR 72 freighter.

• Freighter aircraft service · 2023

  ATR 72 freighter operations

  The ATR 72 freighter added in January 2023 represented Gomair's move to strengthen dedicated regional freight operations. The type is suited to short- and medium-range cargo work and complements the airline's broader charter fleet. One ATR 72 associated with the airline was later reported seized by rebels in February 2025.

• 2023

  Add an ATR 72 freighterProduct launch

  Background

  Gomair's charter business includes cargo operations, and the airline had historically operated a mixed fleet of jets and turboprops.

  Action taken

  The airline added its first ATR 72 freighter on 20 January 2023.

  Aftermath

  The addition expanded Gomair's dedicated regional cargo capability.

  Source

1. 1Gomairen.wikipedia.org