Ethiopian Airlines suspends flights to Eritrea
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Due to what it calls difficult “operating conditions,” Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to Eritrea effective Monday, in another major development in the Horn of Africa region, which has been gripped by instability.
Ethiopia’s national airline will stop flying to Eritrea, adding that the difficulties are “beyond our control.” The airline is one of the best-run in Africa and its profits are rising.
In a statement, the airline expressed regret for any “inconvenience” caused, noting that all affected passengers would be rebooked on other available flights to the Red Sea nation. “Alternatively, passengers can receive a full refund of their tickets,” the national airline said tonight.
On July 24, Ethiopian Airlines said it was “seeking clarification from the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority” and committed to resolving any issues amicably and expeditiously,” following a decision by the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority announcing the suspension of all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Eritrea, effective September 30, 2024.
The announcement comes as the Eritrean government is considering suspending flights due to pending issues. Thousands of people around the world rely on Ethiopian Airlines for their air travel because of its efficiency and reliability.
On July 24, Eritrea ordered the suspension of its flights for “theft, theft, damage, prolonged delay and systematic and organized loss of passengers’ baggage without any compensation,” an accusation the airline denied. The airline insisted the allegations were false.
The announcement comes as Ethiopian authorities are also in conflict with Somalia over access to the Red Sea. Ethiopia has already signed an agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, to acquire 20 kilometers of the Red Sea to build a military base.
In return, Somalia accused Ethiopia of undermining its territorial integrity and sovereignty and even signed military pacts with Egypt and Turkey for the pre-emptive defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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