An Air France flight headed for Detroit was diverted to Canada after authorities determined a passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo boarded “in error” amid heightened restrictions tied to an Ebola outbreak in central Africa, officials said.
The flight, which departed from Paris, was ultimately redirected to Montréal Trudeau International Airport and landed shortly after 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, according to flight tracking data. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said the aircraft was barred from landing in Detroit after officials enforced new entry rules designed to reduce potential Ebola exposure risk.
The passenger’s presence on board conflicted with recently updated U.S. restrictions that limit entry for certain travelers who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda within the past 21 days. Under the policy, affected international flights are being directed to land at designated U.S. entry points for enhanced screening, with Washington Dulles International Airport identified as the primary processing hub.
Officials said the broader restrictions, which took effect Thursday and remain in place for at least 30 days, are intended to centralize public health monitoring as the Ebola outbreak continues to grow. Health agencies have reported more than 600 suspected cases and over 139 suspected deaths, most in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization also noted that a vaccine targeting the strain involved is still months away from human trials, and its effectiveness remains uncertain.
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