• ICAO is auditing aviation security in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi from March 18–30

• The review is key to improving compliance and restoring international confidence

• DRC aims to address past gaps and ease long-standing EU flight restrictions

An International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) security audit is underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on the country’s two main airports as authorities seek to improve compliance with global standards.

The assessment, running from March 18 to 30, 2026, targets N’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa and Luano Airport in Lubumbashi. It is designed to evaluate the country’s ability to meet international aviation security requirements.

The audit comes as the DRC works to improve its standing in global aviation safety and security rankings. Authorities hope stronger results will help the country move off international restriction lists, including the European Union’s blacklist, which has limited certain flights from the DRC since 2006. Improved performance is also seen as key to rebuilding airline confidence and supporting traffic growth.

In recent years, several measures have been introduced to strengthen airport security. In 2024, the government awarded a contract to the U.K.-based Westminster Group to provide security services at five airports. Modernization work at Luano airport began in October 2025, while new infrastructure projects are planned at N’Djili.

The previous ICAO safety audit, conducted under the USOAP program in February 2023, gave the DRC a score of 64.03%. The current review falls under the USAP program, which assesses how effectively countries protect civil aviation against unlawful acts such as terrorism, sabotage, and hijacking.

Originally scheduled for March 2025, the audit was delayed due to the security situation in the eastern part of the country.

Henoc Dossa