Kinshasa: The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reopened Bunia Airport in Ituri Province, reversing restrictions imposed at the height of the country’s worsening Ebola outbreak. The decision allows passenger flights to resume immediately while authorities continue efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
The airport, located in the region hardest hit by the outbreak, had been closed to passenger traffic last month after health officials confirmed the first Ebola cases in the province. Humanitarian and medical flights were permitted to continue during the suspension, subject to government approval.
According to the transport ministry, strict health protocols will now be enforced for all travellers. Passengers will undergo temperature screening before departure and upon arrival, while handwashing procedures will be mandatory. Anyone displaying symptoms such as fever will be prevented from boarding flights.
#RDC : Comme annoncé durant notre séjour à #Bunia et consécutivement à l’installation des dispositifs de surveillance au départ comme à l’arrivée, le ministère du transport annonce la réouverture de l’aéroport de #Bunia avec effet immédiat.
Afin de prévenir tout risque de… pic.twitter.com/NQQNpv9EjL
— Patrick Muyaya (@PatrickMuyaya) June 1, 2026
The reopening follows a visit by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who travelled to the affected region to assess containment efforts. While noting signs of progress, including several patient recoveries, he stressed the need for increased testing, treatment capacity and stronger public trust in health authorities.
Health officials reported 321 confirmed Ebola cases and 48 confirmed deaths as of Monday. However, international aid organisations believe the true scale of the outbreak may be significantly larger. The virus has now spread across 15 of Ituri’s 36 health zones and cases have also been detected in neighbouring provinces as well as in Uganda.
The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine. The World Health Organization has classified the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, while aid agencies continue to warn that delayed detection, insecurity and limited healthcare resources remain major obstacles to controlling the disease.
TOP PICKS | US, Iran report fresh attacks near Strait of Hormuz
