### Air France flights to Kinshasa: between security and geopolitical tensions
The Burkinabe sky was the scene of a rather unexpected event on January 28: Air France flight 722, connecting Paris to Kinshasa, turned around without warning its passengers, plunging them into a climate of uncertainty. This turnaround echoes violent demonstrations that were taking place in the Congolese capital, where the French embassy was targeted by protests. The events that led to this decision raise broader questions about geopolitical dynamics in Central Africa and the impacts on airline security.
#### A look back: geopolitics at the heart of the skies
The demonstrations in Kinshasa, which target the “complicity” of the international community in the Kivu conflict, are not an isolated phenomenon. They are part of a broader context, marked by popular frustrations with external interference and the prolongation of the insecurity prevailing in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). For several decades, this territory has been the scene of armed tensions fueled by internal political rivalries and external interests, particularly in the area of resource exploitation.
Airlines must carefully assess these dynamics, because their operations are often influenced by socio-political realities. By canceling its flights, not only is Air France prioritizing the safety of its passengers and staff, but it is also sending a message to governments and other stakeholders in the aviation sector: sub-Saharan Africa is a region where events can quickly evolve and impact thousands of people.
#### The airlines’ response: precaution or panic?
It is interesting to note that, before Air France, Uganda Airlines had already suspended its flights to Kinshasa following the looting of its embassy. This double-edged halt in air operations highlights a worrying trend: the fragility of air links in some European countries to destinations in crisis. Another notable example is that of British Airways, which suspended its services to Zimbabwe in 2019 during political protests, highlighting a chronological trend in airlines’ decisions in the face of social unrest.
A report by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) notes that around 12% of flight cancellations worldwide are the result of politically-driven factors. This raises the question of airlines’ long-term strategy: is it better to fly to risky but lucrative destinations, or to pull out for opaque security reasons? A thorough economic analysis may be needed to assess the real costs of these decisions.
#### A glimmer of hope in a sea of challenges
However, this situation could also offer an opportunity. African countries, particularly the DRC, need to rebuild confidence not only among airlines, but also among foreign investors. The development of adequate infrastructure, the stabilization of political conditions and the improvement of security in risky areas are all essential elements that could help revive air links that are vital to the local economy.
The potential of the African air market is immense, with a continued increase in the middle class and a renewed interest in intra-African trade. According to the African Development Bank, passenger traffic could quadruple by 2040, a figure that should not be overlooked by governments and airlines. In this context, it becomes crucial not to let one-off events dictate the future of air links between Africa and the rest of the world.
#### Conclusion
The U-turn of Air France Flight 722 is an incident illustrating the complexity of international relations and the risks that airlines face in certain regions. Security models, while essential, must not be at the expense of connectivity between nations. Through a proactive and collaborative vision, it is possible to transform challenges into opportunities, thus contributing to the growth of a continent that is desperate to assert its place on the world stage. At a time when geopolitical tensions persist, the voice of travelers and airlines must be heard more in political decision-making processes, in order to ensure a serene and prosperous future for all.