New stamp commemorates 100 years of first flight Belgium-Congo

The very first flight to Congo took off from Belgium on Thursday, February 12th, 100 years ago. Especially for this anniversary, a milestone for Belgian aviation, bpost is issuing a unique stamp. Two truly Belgian companies, bpost and Brussels Airlines, are joining forces for this purpose.

The new stamp features a photo montage of the very first Belgian flight to Congo, today the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The unique stamp can be used for mail all over the world.

Pioneers

A hundred years ago, pilot Léopold Roger, mechanic Joseph De Bruycker, and pilot/navigator Edmond Thieffry left Brussels for Congo, a flight of 8,000 km. They were the first to cross the Sahara successfully.

Fifty-one days after their departure, our compatriots landed at the airport of Leopoldville, now Kinshasa, Congo’s capital. This created the first air connection between Belgium and DRC, which still occupies an important strategic place in Brussels Airlines’ offering today.

From summer 2025, Brussels Airlines will have 56 flights to the continent every week, an increase of 10% compared to summer 2024.

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