Flights Resume at DR Congo Airport Closed Over Ebola Concerns

The Democratic Republic of Congo has reopened Bunia Airport in Ituri Province after a 10-day closure prompted by the country’s ongoing Ebola outbreak, government officials announced on Tuesday.

The airport, located in the provincial capital of Bunia, had been shut to commercial traffic since May 23 as authorities moved to strengthen health protocols and prevent further spread of the disease.

Despite the suspension of passenger flights, medical and humanitarian aircraft were allowed to continue operating throughout the closure period.

The DRC remains at the centre of a significant Ebola epidemic that has reportedly killed at least 246 people in the country and neighbouring Uganda, according to figures from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba explained that the closure was intended to give authorities time to establish health safeguards for passengers and airport personnel.

Following a review of surveillance and containment measures, the transport ministry announced that flight operations could safely resume.

“Conditions are now in place for a gradual and safe resumption of flights.”

Authorities said commercial services would return in phases as monitoring of the Ebola outbreak continues in the conflict-affected eastern region of the country.

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