The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reopened the main airport in Ituri Province after a 10-day closure imposed as part of efforts to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region.
The airport in Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province and the epicentre of the outbreak, resumed operations on Tuesday following an assessment by government authorities.
The DRC is currently battling a major outbreak of Ebola, a highly contagious haemorrhagic fever that has spread across parts of the country and into neighbouring Uganda.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the outbreak is suspected to have claimed at least 246 lives in the DRC and Uganda.
On May 23, authorities suspended all commercial flights to and from Bunia Airport as a precautionary measure to prevent the further spread of the virus.
During the closure, only medical evacuation flights, humanitarian missions, and essential emergency operations were permitted to use the airport.
Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba explained that the temporary shutdown was necessary to allow authorities to strengthen health and safety protocols for travellers.
According to the minister, the government used the period to establish additional disease surveillance and public health measures aimed at reducing the risk of transmission through air travel.
Announcing the reopening on Tuesday, the Ministry of Transport said officials had reviewed the monitoring systems and response mechanisms put in place to manage the outbreak.
Following the assessment, the government concluded that conditions were suitable for the gradual and safe resumption of commercial flight operations.
“Conditions are now in place for a gradual and safe resumption of flights,” the ministry said in a statement.
The reopening is expected to restore vital transportation links for residents, businesses, humanitarian organisations, and aid agencies operating in the conflict-affected eastern region of the country.
Ituri Province has faced multiple challenges in recent years, including armed conflict, displacement, and public health emergencies, making effective disease control efforts particularly complex.
Health authorities continue to monitor the Ebola outbreak closely while implementing surveillance, screening, and preventive measures to limit further transmission.
The government has urged residents and travellers to remain vigilant and comply with health guidelines as efforts continue to contain the disease.
The reopening of Bunia Airport is seen as a positive step toward maintaining economic activities and humanitarian operations while balancing public health concerns during the ongoing Ebola response.
