Austria’s Foreign Ministry has re-elevated the Central African Republic (CAR) to its highest security category, urging nationals to leave immediately as fighting intensifies along the Cameroon supply corridor. The advisory, published late on 19 November and re-circulated on 21 November, bans all business travel and recommends that NGOs relocate essential staff to UN compounds.
Vienna-based mining-services contractor MasterDrill confirmed it activated its evacuation protocol, chartering a UN-approved flight to move 12 expatriates and dependants to Yaoundé within 24 hours. Insurance underwriters have moved CAR into the “war & terrorism” exclusion zone, voiding standard corporate travel policies unless special riders are purchased.
![Austria Issues Level-4 Travel Warning for Central African Republic, Firms Activate Evacuation Plans]()
Mobility managers must verify whether travellers hold Austrian passports registered with the embassy; those in CAR on short-term Schengen visas will require replacement documents for onward travel. The ministry said its crisis cell would prioritise emergency laissez-passer issuance.
Knock-on effects extend beyond CAR: checkpoints have slowed the Douala–Bangui trade route, and several airlines—including Ethiopian and Kenya Airways—have suspended overflights, adding time and cost to Central Africa itineraries. Companies should update duty-of-care trackers and ensure crisis contractors remain on retainer.
Vienna-based mining-services contractor MasterDrill confirmed it activated its evacuation protocol, chartering a UN-approved flight to move 12 expatriates and dependants to Yaoundé within 24 hours. Insurance underwriters have moved CAR into the “war & terrorism” exclusion zone, voiding standard corporate travel policies unless special riders are purchased.
Mobility managers must verify whether travellers hold Austrian passports registered with the embassy; those in CAR on short-term Schengen visas will require replacement documents for onward travel. The ministry said its crisis cell would prioritise emergency laissez-passer issuance.
Knock-on effects extend beyond CAR: checkpoints have slowed the Douala–Bangui trade route, and several airlines—including Ethiopian and Kenya Airways—have suspended overflights, adding time and cost to Central Africa itineraries. Companies should update duty-of-care trackers and ensure crisis contractors remain on retainer.
