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Message for U.S. Citizens

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Message for U.S. Citizens
Location: Bujumbura, Burundi
Event: Special flight leaving on or after Sunday, April 19

The Embassy has arranged a special humanitarian flight to the United States that will depart Bujumbura on, or soon after, Sunday, April 19, with space for U.S. citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, and foreigners eligible to enter the United States.

Estimated ticket costs are $1900 per adult (age 13 and up), $1500 for children (age 2-12), and $200 for infants (age 0-2 years) carried on an individual’s lap. The flight will arrive at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC.  It is unlikely that there will be other stops with viable transfer options.  Travelers must make their own onward travel arrangements from Washington, DC, if needed.  Further information, including availability of seats and method of payment, will be announced in subsequent messages to STEP enrollees and also posted here.

The United States respects the rights of citizens of every country to move freely, and is actively seeking assurances from the Government of Burundi that all, including dual citizens of Burundi and other countries and foreign nationals of Burundi origin, will be able to depart on this humanitarian flight.

The Embassy is maintaining a record of all those interested in special flights.  If you are interested this flight, please follow the instructions in this message to confirm your interest for this specific flight, even if you have already expressed interest in general in a flight to the United States.  Those who have registered will also be contacted directly via email, but you must respond with confirmation as instructed in order to be included on the manifest.

The Embassy strongly encourages American citizens in Burundi who wish to return to United States in the near future to travel via this special humanitarian flight.  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 other flights later become available, they may be substantially more expensive than this flight.  If you hope to travel to the United States via a special flight, please be ready to travel on very short notice.

If an American citizen is destitute or otherwise unable to pay for this flight, they should contact BujumburaC@state.gov as soon as possible to explore alternate payment methods.

Additional flight options:

The U.S. Embassy has learned that the Embassy of Japan is arranging a special commercial flight on Saturday, April 18, that will depart Bujumbura for Addis Ababa via Kigali and Entebbe. The flight is expected to cost approximately $600 if fully booked, will be operated by RwandAir, and only includes travel to Addis Ababa. Travelers must book their own onward travel from Addis Ababa and take into consideration the risks of current and future travel restrictions in Ethiopia and other onward destinations. The travel agency SatGuru will be responsible for arranging seats on this flight, with reservations opening some time next week. Please note that the U.S. Embassy has no control over any aspect of this flight, including the possibility of cancelation, and reservations and travel are at the travelers’ own risk.

The U.S. Embassy has learned that the Embassy of Italy is arranging a special commercial flight at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, that will depart Bujumbura for Addis Ababa where passengers can connect to onward destinations. Travelers must take into consideration the risks of current and future travel restrictions and those at their desired onward destinations.  Please note that the U.S. Embassy has no control over any aspect of this flight, including the possibility of cancellation, and reservations and travel are at the travelers’ own risk.  Points of contact are:

4/13/2020 Update: Please note that the flight originally planned for Rome, Italy will instead fly Bujumbura to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  Flights from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Rome may then be available, but travel to Rome is not required. Travelers seeking the most direct route to the United States may opt for a flight from Addis Ababa to Washington, D.C. See this message for additional information.

Additional Actions to Take:

Assistance:

By | 10 April, 2020 | Topics: Alert, Messages for U.S. Citizens

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