Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have suspended flights Mbuji Mayi Airport (MJM) in Kasai-Oriental due to ongoing runway repairs until further notice.

The airport serves Mbuji Mayi city and usually operates flights on the Kinshasa-Mbuji-Mayi and Lubumbashi-Mbuji-Mayi routes.

Flight disruptions are likely once the airport resumes operations as airlines work to clear flight and passenger backlogs.

It is unclear whether the works are part of Congo’s (DRC) Mbuji Mayi Airport Upgrade and Reconstruction Project signed in 2020 is funded by the African Development Bank and is located on the outskirts of Mbuji Mayi, the capital of the Eastern Kasai Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The main construction contents are: upgrade the existing 2.3-kilometer airport runway, construct an airport taxiway, apron and navigation aids, and construct an airport control tower, power supply station, fire station and supporting facilities.

The project is being undertaken by Jiangxi International.