• Astral Aviation has flown 100 metric tonnes of humanitarian relief from Nairobi to Bunia in the DRC using a Boeing 737-400 Freighter, with cargo originating in Europe and routed via Liège on a Boeing 747 Freighter operated by Network Airline Services Astral Aviation Network Airline Services
• The shipment used a multimodal airfreight chain combining long-haul uplift into Kenya and regional distribution onward to Bunia, overcoming airport constraints that prevent widebody freighter operations and enabling access to a structurally difficult humanitarian destination
• The operation was delivered with logistics support from Scan Global Logistics and AVICO Logistics, underscoring coordinated airline–forwarder partnerships and strict regulatory, safety and biosecurity compliance across Kenya and the DRC

Astral Aviation has commenced the delivery of 100 metric tonnes of critical humanitarian relief supplies from Nairobi, Kenya, to Bunia,  Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), utilizing its dedicated Boeing 737-400 Freighter aircraft.

The relief cargo originated in Europe and was transported from Liège, Belgium, to Nairobi aboard a Boeing 747 Freighter operated by its interline partner, Network Airline. Upon arrival in Nairobi, the cargo was seamlessly transferred onto Astral Aviation’s GHA, Celebi and thereafter onto the Boeing 737-400F for onward transportation to Bunia.

The multimodal air cargo solution was specifically designed to overcome infrastructure limitations at Bunia Airport, which is unable to accommodate widebody freighter aircraft. By combining the long-haul capabilities of the B747F with Astral Aviation’s regional freighter network, the partnership has enabled the efficient movement of lifesaving supplies to one of the most challenging humanitarian destinations in Africa.

The operation has been coordinated in partnership with leading global logistics providers Scan Global Logistics and AVICO, demonstrating the critical role that collaboration and strategic partnerships play in responding rapidly and effectively to humanitarian emergencies.

“This operation highlights the importance of strong partnerships across the air cargo and logistics value chain,” said Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation. “No single organization can address humanitarian challenges alone. The successful movement of these relief supplies from Europe to Eastern DRC reflects the power of collaboration between airlines, freight forwarders, logistics specialists, airport stakeholders, and humanitarian partners working towards a common objective.”

Astral Aviation has extensive experience supporting emergency response operations throughout Africa and has previously transported critical medical supplies, vaccines, personal protective equipment (PPE), and humanitarian cargo during major public health emergencies, including Ebola outbreaks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and cholera response operations across the continent, according to Anthony Mwangi, Head of Charters of Astral Aviation

Safety, security, and regulatory compliance remain paramount throughout the operation. Astral Aviation has worked closely with aviation regulators, public health authorities, airport operators, and ground handling partners in both Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure full compliance with all operational, safety, security, and biosecurity requirements, while maintaining the highest standards of crew welfare and cargo handling integrity, said Philip Omondi, Head of Safety and Quality at Astral Aviation.

“Africa’s challenges require African solutions supported by global partnerships,” added Gadhia. “This mission demonstrates how cooperation between international logistics providers and African cargo airlines can create resilient supply chains capable of delivering humanitarian assistance to communities that need it most.”

Astral Aviation remains committed to supporting humanitarian and development initiatives across Africa through safe, reliable, and efficient air cargo services, ensuring that essential supplies reach affected populations when and where they are needed.

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