Air Serv has begun flight operations in Kalemie, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to support humanitarian programs in the region.
Kalemie is a town on the western shore of Lake Tanganyika in the mineral-rich Katanga Province of the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Secessionist violence has created a humanitarian catastrophe in the region to which several United Nations agencies and other international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) are responding.
With a Kalemie-based Cessna Grand Caravan (C208B), Air Serv is flying medical and other relief workers to and from work sites that are too difficult or too hazardous to access via road. Passengers on Air Serv’s flights include, among others, personnel of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF and the World Bank.
Kalemie is Air Serv’s fourth base in the DRC, joining Lubumbashi, Bukavu and Bunia.
“We are pleased to extend the geographic scope of our eastern and southern DRC operations and look forward to providing safe, reliable air transportation for humanitarian workers in a very challenging and stressful environment”, said Troy Conrey, Managing Director of Air Serv’s African operations.
With a fleet of six Cessna Caravans, Air Serv specializes in “last mile” air transportation in support of East African humanitarian programs. Air Serv also provides commercial air charter, facility and aircraft maintenance services.