Air France Flight Diverted to Montreal After Ebola Entry Rule Violation

An Air France flight from Paris to Detroit was diverted to Montreal on May 20 after U.S. authorities determined a passenger had boarded in violation of new entry restrictions related to an Ebola outbreak. The aircraft, a Boeing 777 operating as Flight AF378, landed at Montreal Trudeau International Airport at approximately 5:15 p.m. ET.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that the passenger, who was from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, should not have been allowed to board the U.S.-bound flight. The agency said it prohibited the flight from landing in Detroit and directed it to Montreal instead. The passenger was removed there, and the aircraft continued to Detroit with the remaining passengers after a ground stop of less than an hour. Officials confirmed there was no medical emergency on board.

Air France acknowledged the diversion occurred at the request of U.S. authorities. The airline stated that under new regulations, passengers arriving from certain countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are only permitted to enter the United States via Washington-Dulles International Airport. The airline said it is required to comply with all entry...