Kongo Central: the release of airport land from illegal occupation requested in Muanda

Matadi, November 1^st, 2026 (CPA). – The release of airport land from illegal occupation has been requested from the provincial government of Kongo Central (south-west of the Democratic Republic of the Congo), with a view to ensure the security of the infrastructure and facilitate their modernisation, during an assessment visit to Muanda Airport, CPA has noticed on Sunday. “We are requesting the provincial government’s involvement to support the Airways Authority (RVA) in finding solutions, in particular by identifying suitable locations to relocate all those who have encroached upon our airport grounds so that they can be cleared,” Louis-Blaise Londole Lokoy, General Director of the RVA, during his visit. “We estimate that 85 to 90% of our airport sites have been encroached upon. This poses a danger to our airports and aerodromes,” he has added, calling on the provincial authorities to help find sustainable solutions. According to General Director Londole, the unauthorised occupations of airport land pose a threat to the safety of the facilities, particularly when they are located near runways. In particular, he has cited cases of occupation situated approximately 100 metres from a runway, a situation he has deemed unacceptable. He has also reminded that construction and modernisation work on airport infrastructure is planned as part of a programme in which certain companies are due to participate, following contracts signed by the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Transport, Communications and Accessibility. The airports at Matadi, in Kongo Central, and Mbandaka, in Equateur Province, are among the facilities included in this programme. Mr Londole has therefore called on the illegal occupiers to vacate the affected areas to allow the works to go ahead, emphasising that protecting these spaces contributes to aviation safety, development and the opening up of the country.