According to security and humanitarian sources, the armed group took control of the strategic site on Friday, facing little resistance from Congolese forces.
The airport, located in Kavumu town, was the last major military position before reaching Bukavu, a city of about one million people.
Its capture raises fears that M23 might soon advance further into South Kivu, tightening its grip on the Lake Kivu region.
M23, a rebel group that has been active in eastern DRC for years, has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks.
After capturing Goma, the capital of North Kivu, in January 2025, they have continued their southward advance.
The latest attack on Bukavu Airport is seen as another step towards expanding their control.
An eyewitness in the area reported seeing military vehicles full of Congolese soldiers retreating toward Bukavu.
Many of them were accompanied by their families and personal belongings.
A local villager from Nyamunyunye, near the airport, confirmed that soldiers and their families were leaving in large numbers.
Meanwhile, in Bukavu city, local authorities sent staff home, and businesses closed down as uncertainty grew.
Residents feared that the rebels might soon enter the city, similar to what happened in 2004 when Bukavu briefly fell to soldiers who had deserted the Congolese army.
This escalation comes as African leaders meet for an African Union (AU) summit to discuss the worsening security situation in eastern DRC.
The presence of Rwandan troops alongside M23 has heightened tensions between DRC and Rwanda, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of supporting the rebels. Rwanda has denied these claims.
The ongoing violence has also led to fears of a larger regional conflict.
The United Nations and other international bodies have called for peace talks to prevent further bloodshed.
However, with M23 continuing its advance, it remains unclear how the situation will be resolved.
For now, Bukavu residents are left in fear, uncertain about what the next few days will bring.
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