Location: Bujumbura, Burundi
Event: Landscape of remaining special flights
Please note that the ticketing deadline for the April 18 Japanese-organized Rwandair Express special commercial flight detailed here and here passed on Sunday, April 12. For those of you who may have already been in touch about this flight but not yet committed, or have not yet been in touch but are still interested, you may be able to get access to any remaining seats if you reach out to the points of contact immediately.
For those of you that planned to fly on this April 18 flight and connect from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Washington, D.C. (with a 10:40 p.m. departure on April 18), we have just become informed that the April 18 Addis Ababa to Washington, D.C. leg has been cancelled, and that the next available similar option departs Addis Ababa at the same time on April 19. Travelers should be mindful of the restriction with respect to remaining in Addis Ababa.
It is still possible to leave Bujumbura on the Italian-organized special commercial flight (detailed here and here) scheduled to depart from Bujumbura to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on April 15 at a cost of $4350 per adult. If interested, please make reservations by close of business on Monday, April 13 through SatGuru Travel and Transportation.
Please note that the U.S. Embassy has no control over any aspect of these flights, including the possibility of cancelation, and reservations and travel are the travelers’ responsibility and at the travelers’ own risk.
The U.S. Government-organized special flight is now scheduled to depart from Bujumbura on Sunday, April 20 at a cost of $1900 per adult. This departure is one day later than originally planned, but the flight plan otherwise remains the same. Please note that we anticipate demand for the U.S. Government-organized special flight on April 20 to significantly exceed the number of seats available, and travelers are encouraged to consider all available options.
Seats on the U.S. Government-organized special flight will be first-come, first serve, and the U.S. Government cannot predict when another flight will become available.
Burundian governmental authorities removed dozens of persons of dual nationality from two humanitarian flights leaving Burundi during the weekend of April 3. On Friday, April 10, Burundi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a note verbal assuring the international community that persons holding dual nationality would be able to freely depart Burundi under the condition that they had residency elsewhere and had only been visiting Burundi when the Government of Burundi closed Melchior Ndadaye International Airport. The note, however, also stated that dual nationals who reside or carry out their daily activities in Burundi would not benefit from this guarantee of free travel. The note did not define how Burundian authorities define residency or daily activities.
The Embassy strongly encourages American citizens in Burundi who wish to return to United States in the near future travel via these or other special opportunities as soon as possible. Otherwise, they should be prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. It is unclear when Burundi’s international airport will resume normal operations, or when other flights may be scheduled. The Department of State cannot guarantee that there will be future flight options. If evacuation or charter flights later become available, they may be substantially more expensive than these special l flights. If you hope to travel to the United States via a humanitarian flight, please be ready to travel on very short notice
If an American citizen is destitute or otherwise unable to pay for this special commercial flight, they should contact BujumburaC@state.gov to explore alternate payment methods.
Additional Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Burundi.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Burundi.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Bujumbura, Burundi
B.P. 1720
Avenue des Etats-Unis
+257 22-207-000
- State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Burundi-specific information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive Alerts
- Check the Alerts and Messages for U.S. Citizens portion of our webpage for past communications from STEP
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
