DRC Close Congolese Airspace for Rwanda

On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the Congolese government escalated tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda by banning all Rwandan-registered or Rwandan-based aircraft from flying over its territory. This decision comes amid deteriorating diplomatic relations and ongoing armed conflict between the two nations.

According to an internal memo from Congolese aviation authorities, the ban applies to both civil and state aircraft, citing security concerns due to the ongoing clashes.

Consequences of the Restriction

How does this decision impact RwandAir’s operations and Rwanda’s economy? Is such a measure justified, and what are the costs for the DRC?

Impact on RwandAir Flights

For example, RwandAir flight WB216 on the Kigali-Libreville route has seen a significant increase in flight duration following the airspace closure.

• Before the ban (February 7, 2025): The flight took 3 hours and 25 minutes.
• After the ban (February 12, 2025): The flight duration increased to 4 hours and 25 minutes.

Economic Impact on RwandAir

Previously, RwandAir relied on DRC’s vast airspace to connect with West African destinations such as Libreville, Lagos, and Brazzaville. Now, the airline must take longer routes, leading to increased operational costs.

Key cost implications:

• Aircraft in use: Boeing B737-800, consuming approximately 3,000 liters of fuel per hour.
• Fuel type and price: Jet A-1, averaging $0.50 per liter.

Estimated additional costs per flight:

• Extra fuel cost per flight: $1,500 ($3,000 for a round trip).
• Weekly cost (5 flights): $15,000.
• Monthly cost: $60,000.
• Annual cost: Over $700,000 for the Kigali-Libreville route alone.

RwandAir serves eight destinations in West Africa, meaning the total additional costs could exceed $6 million annually.

A Strategic Decision for the DRC

The Congolese government justifies this measure as part of a broader strategy to pressure the Rwandan regime, which it holds responsible for the conflict in eastern DRC. However, the use of aviation as a political tool is rare and signals an extreme deterioration in diplomatic relations.

A source close to the Kinshasa government told African Security Analysis that shooting down a civilian aircraft violating airspace is a highly sensitive and risky action, with severe diplomatic and humanitarian repercussions. While the DRC possesses anti-aircraft defense capabilities, deploying them against civilian aircraft would likely provoke strong international condemnation.

The Broader Implications

This airspace ban presents challenges for both nations. Congolese aircraft frequently overfly Rwandan airspace when approaching Goma, making the decision a precarious precedent. With flights to Goma now suspended, some argue there is less justification for maintaining the ban, yet the situation remains delicate.

Effectively managing airspace in such a tense climate requires balancing national security concerns with diplomatic and economic realities.