KIH - KINSHAA AIRPORT

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Kinshasa Airport by Roy Blewett

25 July 2007   Customer Rating :

Ndjili is certainly an experience. Arrival was reasonably smooth (and would have been smoother if South African had actually had some landing cards). Departure is a bit of a performance, with any number of checks and people with different rubber stamps involved. Check-in is entirely a manual process, with hand-written baggage labels and seating worked out usually a hand-drawn grid representing the cabin. But it all seems to work. You need to identify your baggage walking out to the aircraft and final security check is at the foot of the aeroplane steps. At no point did anyone approach me looking for bribes, although that might have been because I had a local escort, provided by my employer.

Kinshasa Airport by Michael Powell

30 September 2006   Customer Rating : n/a

I travelled in and out of N'Djili with SN Brussels in August. Its reputation seems ill-deserved. Yes, it was a bit chaotic but not very intimidating. I didn't have to hand over any "tips" going in or going out. Check-in for the departing flight was downtown which made life easier. The departure lounge was adequate with a small snack bar. They are building a new duty-free shop. Be aware that the final passport check and hand baggage check is at the plane steps. There are all sorts of odd people wandering around at this stage so keep a close eye on your hand luggage when you leave it for checking.

Kinshasa Airport by Dave Stanley

1 July 2006

The airport is not as bad as some of the earlier reports suggest. Having a local guide meet you and handle the formalities will help a lot. Most people hand over their passports, tickets and baggage to these people and allow them to sort out the problems.

Kinshasa Airport by Paul Flynn

28 April 2006

David De Beer needs to visit other airports in Africa if he thinks Kinshasa is the worst. With most African airports, you will get hassled, either by baggage handlers, customs or the "Document man" who guide you through the complicated checking in process. At Kinshasa, ensure you have 2 x $20.00 notes in your pocket and nothing else. Each person in the customs line will insist on opening your bags unless you "dib" them, so don't bother packing nicely when you leave the hotel (Memling is the best). Let the first two officials rumble through your smalls without payment and the others don't bother when they see you haven't handed over the dosh. The $20.00 is for the document man who takes over as you arrive at the terminal. Let him take over, otherwise you will be there for ages, he sorts all the tickets out, baggage etc and will ask for $100.00 for his trouble and $100.00 for his sidekick who carries the bags. he always asks for this whilst he has your boarding cards ans passports in his hand, so take out the $40.00 and show him your empty pockets. Also, don't count on asking for leg-room or aisle seats, be grateful for anything as they can seem to be overbooked, this is another scam to get money from you, don't offer money if they say overbooked, stand your ground. Try Lubumbashi, Kitwe or Lusaka airports for a real fun time!

Kinshasa Airport by William Church

28 April 2006

I think the best way to describe N'Djili is the approach to the airport in car or van. It sets the stage better than anything else. As you drive up, what seems like hundreds of men come out of no where and descend on your car. They start jumping on the hood, holding on to your doors or fenders or anything they can get hold of. Some of them want to be paid to carry your bags. Others want the opportunity to find anything no locked, glued, sealed with duck tape, bolted down, or secured by an armed guard. The entrance is just as much chaos. You walk to the terminal and there are people standing outside the terminal who want to help you through immigration or carry your bags. Do not give your passport to someone who promises to help. Have him take you. Go with him. But do not hand over your passport.

Kinshasa Airport by Kim Hansen

11 December 2005

This is what West Africa is all about. If folks do not gain that sort of knowledge before start working in West Africa they should stay home. I have been all up and down the coast since early 1980 and have seen things I do not even want to write about. But that is what it is. Live with it. Brace yourself, Do not stand out, Do not be smart and blend in - you will cruise through.

Kinshasa Airport by Ned Hopkins

24 October 2005

I endorse what David de Beer wrote. I'd add that just before our flight departed, a troop of armed soldiers strode menacingly down the aisle of the plane, entering at front and exiting out the back of the plane. We'd been forewarned not to look at the in the eye.

Kinshasa Airport by David de Beer

12 October 2005

This is by far the worst airport in the world. Be very sure that you will be hassled by everybody from immigration to airport security. Everybody will demand a bribe or be sure to have enough troubles coming your way. Checkin is a total joke with absolutely NO queues or rules, it is orginized choas. Do not go there unless you have a contact to help you clear all the corrupt officials.

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