Date: 1960s
Size: 25 x 39.5 inches
Artist: G. Vanden Eynde
SABENA was the national airline of Belgium from 1923 to 2001, with its base at Brussels National Airport. Air Congo was originally formed in June 1961 as the national airline of the Congolese Republic, with Sabena providing both technical assistance and equipment. Sabena provided internal flights to Congo between 1961-1971, which is when this poster was designed.
Part of the contract with Sabena saw the Belgian airline train Air Congo personnel for a six-year period, and by the end of 1962 Air Congo had 2,400 employees, of which some 1,100 were seconded from Sabena. By this time the airlines' destinations included Entebbe, Lagos, Nairobi, Ndola, Salisbury, and Usumbura. Jet service to Brussels was inaugurated in March 1963 using a Boeing 707 which was leased from Sabena, and in April 1963 the airline joined the International Air Transport Association, becoming the 94th overall member.
The poster reads: "Pour réussir sur le marché congolais; le transport mer-air" which translates to "To succeed on the Congolese market; sea-air transportation." Unlined and in excellent condition, this perfectly retro ad would be ideal for a kids room, the living room or even the office!