Flights suspended after rains damage Tshikapa airport runway

Flights have been suspended since last weekend at Tshikapa airport in Kasaï province after heavy rains damaged the runway. The Régie des voies aériennes (RVA) halted takeoffs and landings pending repairs, forcing travelers to use road transport. The Federation of Congolese Enterprises in Kasaï says this adds costs and exposes goods to risks, affecting the local diamond sector as well. The suspension also makes it harder to evacuate patients to cities with specialist care, and local civil society is urging the RVA to speed up repairs.