DRC, Rwanda: RwandAir flights to Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Goma suspended indefinitely, May 28

Event

RwandAir (WB) flights to Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Goma have been suspended indefinitely as of May 28. Officials in the DRC reportedly suspended flights due to an ongoing dispute with the Rwandan government. DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels who are currently battling the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) north of Goma in North Kivu Province.

The decision to ban WB flights will likely result in an increased demand for alternative ground and air travel transport services between the two countries. The DRC could escalate retaliatory measures in the coming days to include border closures between the two countries. Rwanda could also reciprocate and ban DRC airlines or close the shared border.

Advice

Reconfirm all flights. Plan for increased demand for alternative transportation. Persons traveling between the two countries should monitor developments closely and reconfirm all travel arrangements before departure.