ECAIR - Equatorial Congo Airlines (EQR, Brazzaville) has secured a XAF20 billion (USD34.6 million) loan from the Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC) to be put towards the airline's fleet renewal and network expansion strategy.

During the signing ceremony in Brazzaville, BDEAC president Abbas Mahamat Tolli said the Congolese national carrier was in the process of acquiring new aircraft, such as the B787-8, for use in expanding its regional and international route network. In addition, the carrier is planning to build a new MRO hangar at Brazzaville Maya Maya Airport as part of a joint-venture with Belgian MRO specialist, Sabena Aerospace.

Majority state-owned ECAIR operates two B737-700 leased from Jetairfly (Brussels National) but currently out of service, one B757-200 and one B767-300(ER) both leased from PrivatAir (Switzerland) (Geneva) on domestic Congolese flights to Pointe Noire and Oyo Ollombo International (currently suspended due to the B737s' absence) as well as on services to Bamako, Cotonou Cadjehoun, Dakar Yoff-Léopold Sédar Senghor International, Douala, Dubai International, Libreville Leon M'Ba and Paris CDG.