PARIS- An Air France (AF) flight traveling from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) diverted to Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL) after U.S. authorities denied entry to a passenger linked to new Ebola-related travel restrictions.
Flight AF378 was carrying passengers from France to the United States when U.S. Customs and Border Protection ordered the aircraft to avoid landing in Detroit.
Officials later confirmed that a traveler from the Democratic Republic of Congo had boarded the flight despite temporary U.S. entry rules tied to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
Ebola Travel Rules
According to U.S. authorities, foreign nationals who recently traveled to Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan now face strict entry procedures.
The Department of Homeland Security recently directed airlines carrying such passengers to route flights through Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), where enhanced public health screening measures are in place.
Officials stated that the Congolese passenger should not have boarded a direct flight into Detroit under the updated regulations. Customs officials then instructed the crew to divert the aircraft to Canada before it entered U.S. airspace.
Air France later confirmed that the diversion occurred at the request of American authorities and clarified that there was no medical emergency onboard. The airline added that carriers must comply with the entry requirements imposed by destination countries.
The situation developed shortly after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention introduced temporary restrictions for non-U.S. citizens who had recently visited countries affected by the Ebola outbreak.
Passenger Reaction to the Incident
Passengers onboard reportedly received limited information during the diversion.
Deborah Mistor, a business-class traveler on the flight, told media outlets that the captain initially informed passengers that U.S. authorities would not allow the aircraft to land in Detroit.
She said the crew later reassured travelers that the aircraft was not experiencing technical problems. However, concern among passengers increased after several flight attendants began wearing face masks during the diversion process.
Some passengers reportedly feared there could be a health emergency onboard because airline staff did not immediately explain the reason behind the operational change.
Despite the confusion, the aircraft later continued to Detroit after landing in Montreal.
Flight tracking data showed the Boeing aircraft arrived at Montreal Trudeau Airport during the evening before resuming its journey to Michigan, CBS News flagged.
Ebola Outbreak Concerns
The diversion comes as health authorities monitor a growing Ebola outbreak centered in eastern Congo. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the outbreak earlier this month, while the World Health Organization has reported hundreds of suspected infections.
Health experts say the current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. Authorities have intensified airport screening and border health measures to prevent international spread.
The latest U.S. travel rules are designed to centralize health checks for higher-risk travelers at specific airports equipped with additional medical resources. Airlines operating transatlantic routes are now expected to closely review passenger travel histories before departure to avoid further disruptions.
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