Uganda Airlines Halts Kinshasa Flights Amid Ebola Concerns

Uganda Airlines has indefinitely suspended all flights connecting Entebbe and Kinshasa, a move prompted by escalating concerns over the Ebola virus disease. The decision, effective Saturday, May 23, prioritizes the safety of passengers, crew, and the general public.

This suspension aligns with broader containment measures enacted by the Ministry of Health and the National Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease. The taskforce, led by Vice President Jessica Alupo, had initially ordered a four-week halt to public transportation, cross-border markets, and other activities between Uganda and the DRC.

While the taskforce’s order is time-bound, Uganda Airlines stated its own suspension will persist “until further notice.” The airline previously operated four weekly flights to Kinshasa using its Bombardier CRJ aircraft, having initiated the route in December 2020.

This airline-specific action comes amid wider travel restrictions. Interestingly, President Yoweri Museveni has expressed reservations about the broadness of these measures, suggesting they might be driven by panic. He indicated plans to discuss the situation with the taskforce, believing alternative preventative measures exist without necessarily causing alarm.

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed the suspension of all flights between Uganda and the DRC, a move publicized via statements from the Uganda Media Centre Director. The Entebbe-Kinshasa route is a shared corridor with several airlines, including Kenya Airways, RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines, and Air Congo, all of which have reportedly also suspended their operations on this route.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-airlines-suspends-kinshasa-flights-over-ebola-5471036