As of Feb. 14, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has banned Rwandan aircraft from landing in, or overflying the DRC. As a result, RwandAir will be adjusting its network in Central and West Africa. These adjustments will mostly affect flights that previously flew through Congolese airspace.
The adjustments will be as follows:
- Kigali – Abuja – Accra – Kigali, which has been operating since 2016, will be pulled from reservation systems for flights departing after Feb. 14.
- Kigali – Accra will become a nonstop flight, operating once weekly using a Boeing 737-800, starting Feb. 10.
- Kigali – Bangui will become a nonstop flight on Feb. 14. It will replace the route’s prior one-stop connection via Douala. It will run twice weekly using a Boeing 737-800.
- Kigali – Brazzaville – Douala will be suspended as of Feb. 14.
- Kigali – Libreville – Accra and Kigali – Libreville – Cotonou are both suspended. However, from February 14 to 28, Kigali – Libreville – Douala will operate three times weekly, replacing the old route via Brazzaville.
These tensions are the result of an ongoing conflict in eastern DRC that has caused major disruptions. The conflict is between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group. The rebel group seized Goma International Airport in late January, closing the facility and halting both domestic and international flights.
The closure of the airport has also caused humanitarian problems. Goma International Airport is the primary international gateway for many aid groups in the region. Humanitarian organizations, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization are seeking the airport’s reopening, but there is no word on when this will occur.
This has led to a halt of relief operations, causing widespread humanitarian problems, per ch-aviation. The United Nations reports about 3,000 deaths during the days leading up to the M23 group’s capture of Goma.
“Due to the closure of DR Congo airspace to Rwandan-registered aircraft, RwandAir has rerouted affected flight paths. We are working to provide the safest and most efficient alternatives while minimising inconvenience to our passengers,” the airline said in a brief statement.
This decision stems from escalating tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, particularly over the ongoing conflict involving the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Congolese authorities announced new restrictions, prohibiting any aircraft registered in Rwanda — or registered elsewhere but based in Rwanda — from flying over or landing in the DRC. According to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), the restriction applies to both civilian and state aircraft, with officials citing security threats as the primary justification.
“Formal ban on overflight and landing in the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo for all civil and state aircraft registered in Rwanda or registered elsewhere but based in Rwanda, due to the security situation linked to the armed conflict,” reads the NOTAM.
The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, allegedly supplying the group with arms and military personnel—allegations that Rwanda strongly denies. The conflict has led to significant disruptions, including the effective closure of Goma International Airport in eastern DRC in late January, when M23 forces advanced into the city and seized control.
Upon entering the city, M23 rebels captured Goma International Airport, reportedly seizing a Gomair ATR 72 cargo aircraft and several military helicopters. Since then, the airspace over North Kivu’s capital has been closed, halting both domestic and international flights.
According to Reuters, the airport remains closed despite calls from humanitarian organizations for its reopening to facilitate relief operations. The situation has resulted in widespread humanitarian concerns, with the United Nations reporting that approximately 3,000 people were killed in the days leading up to the capture of Goma.
