CANADA – An Air France flight traveling from Paris to Detroit was diverted to Montreal after U.S. authorities denied the aircraft permission to land because of Ebola-related travel restrictions involving one passenger.
The flight, identified as Air France Flight AF378, was originally scheduled to arrive at Detroit Metropolitan Airport before officials redirected it to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport in Canada. Authorities said the issue involved a traveler from the Democratic Republic of Congo who reportedly boarded the aircraft despite current U.S. entry limitations linked to the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.
According to statements from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the passenger should not have been allowed to board the U.S.-bound flight under existing health measures aimed at reducing the risk of Ebola entering the country.
Air France confirmed the diversion was carried out at the request of U.S. authorities. The airline also stressed that there was no medical emergency onboard the aircraft during the flight.
“There was no medical emergency on board,” the airline said in a statement, adding that airlines are required to comply with entry regulations set by the countries they serve.
The incident comes as U.S. health and border agencies tighten screening procedures for travelers arriving from regions currently affected by Ebola outbreaks. New measures introduced by American authorities include stricter airport screening and restrictions affecting travelers who recently visited countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.
Health officials have continued monitoring the outbreak situation in Central and East Africa, while the World Health Organization has stated that the global risk remains low despite rising concern in the affected region.
