Commercial flight ban creates economic hardship in Bunia, warns Ituri notable

Commercial flights remain banned at Bunia Airport in the Ituri province as part of Ebola containment measures, but the decision is drawing criticism from residents who say it exacerbates economic struggles already heightened by insecurity and the epidemic.

While humanitarian flights are still allowed, locals question the logic behind the ban on commercial travel, especially since road transportation between Bunia and other major cities remains operational. Buses and vehicles continue to carry passengers, creating a stark contrast with the grounded commercial aircraft.

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We wonder why this difference in treatment. Are humanitarian flight passengers different from those who travel by commercial flights? No. They are all human beings. On the economic impact, the ban on commercial flights creates economic difficulties in Bunia.

Samy Azabo, a local notable, highlighted the economic impact, stating that the ban creates significant difficulties for Bunia's banks, businesses, and organizations. "We wonder why this difference in treatment. Are humanitarian flight passengers different from those who travel by commercial flights? No. They are all human beings," Azabo said. He added that transporting money by road is risky due to frequent armed robberies, a problem that has plagued the city in recent years.

"We are attacked from all sides by war. And now, Ebola comes to add to this situation. We have really had enough," Azabo stated, appealing to the Congolese government to reconsider the measure. He advocates for an easing of the restriction to allow commercial flights to resume, a plea made amid ongoing insecurity in several Ituri territories and the persistent Ebola outbreak.

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We are attacked from all sides by war. And now, Ebola comes to add to this situation. We have really had enough. We therefore ask the Congolese government to look at the situation in Ituri.