If Angola commits its relatively well-equipped air force to Congo, it could close the air-bridge the rebels are using to ferry troops from the east to their western front.

ECONOMIST: War in the heart of Africa | The

Since there are no passable roads in Congo, this war is fought by air and water.

ECONOMIST: In Congo, war gets serious

So MONUC gives the Congo army food rations, fuel and air support.

ECONOMIST: Strife in eastern Congo

Most of the aviation fatalities in 2011 occurred in Russia, Iran and African countries that have long faced air-safety problems, such as Angola and Congo.

WSJ: Airlines Count Down to Safest Year on Record

Symbolically the last flight came from Africa, where Sabena pioneered commercial air travel in the 1930s to Belgium's then colony, Congo.

BBC: Belgian national airline bankrupt