Air France Flight to Detroit Diverted to Canada Over Ebola Travel Restrictions

An Air France flight traveling from Paris to Detroit was redirected to Montreal on Wednesday after officials discovered a passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo had boarded the plane in error amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak in central Africa. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) took “decisive action” by prohibiting the flight from landing at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, citing entry restrictions designed to reduce the risk of Ebola virus transmission.

The flight, Air France Flight 378, departed Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport and landed at Montreal Trudeau International Airport shortly after 5 p.m. Eastern Time, according to flight tracking data from FlightAware. CBP stated that the passenger “should not have boarded the plane” due to these restrictions but did not disclose when the individual had last been in Congo or whether they exhibited any symptoms of the virus. It was also unclear if the passenger was a Congolese national or a traveler who had recently visited the country.

Deborah Mistor, a business class passenger on the flight, told CBS News that about four hours before the scheduled arrival in Detroit, the captain informed passengers that U.S. authorities were not allowing the plane to land and that the flight was being diverted to Canada. The captain initially did not provide a reason but later clarified that the diversion was due to U.S. government restrictions and not a mechanical issue. Mistor also noted that flight attendants donned face masks during the diversion.

Following the landing in Montreal, the passengers were flown to Detroit on the same aircraft. Montreal Trudeau International Airport referred requests for further information to Air France, which did not immediately respond to inquiries.

The travel restrictions stem from a recent announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday, which barred entry into the United States for individuals without U.S. passports who had been in Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda within the previous three weeks. These restrictions are effective for 30 days.

Additionally, a notice submitted to the Federal Register by CBP and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) outlined new arrival protocols beginning Thursday. All flights to the U.S. carrying passengers who have been in Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days must land at Washington-Dulles International Airport in Virginia. This airport has been designated as the focal point for enhanced public health measures related to Ebola.

The Ebola outbreak, confirmed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on May 15, is centered in eastern Congo and involves the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported at least 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths so far. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that a vaccine for this strain is likely months away from human trials, with no guarantee of effectiveness.

The CDC and DHS have not clarified how the new DHS rule interacts with the CDC’s earlier travel restrictions. Both agencies have yet to comment further on the incident involving the Air France flight.