Wednesday July 24, 2024
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner of Ethiopian Airlines at Asmara International Airport on July 19, 2018, marking the first flight from Ethiopia to Eritrea in two decades. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority has announced a suspension of all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Eritrea's capital, Asmara, effective September 30, 2024. This decision, published in the state newspaper Hadas Eritrea, cites "systematic mistreatment" of Eritrean passengers as the primary reason.
The authority's statement outlined several grievances against Ethiopian Airlines, including "theft of luggage, damage, extreme delays, uncompensated loss of property, inexplicable fare hikes, and other violations." Despite repeated attempts to address these issues, no satisfactory resolution was reached with the airline.
Eritrean passengers planning to fly with Ethiopian Airlines after September 20 are urged to make alternative arrangements. Notably, Ethiopian Airlines continues to sell tickets for flights scheduled beyond the suspension date.
Ethiopian Airlines, which operates five weekly flights to Asmara, has not responded publicly to the allegations. Meanwhile, other airlines, such as Saudi Arabian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and EgyptAir, continue to offer regular flights to Eritrea's capital.
The suspension follows a recent visit by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to Italy, where he secured an agreement with Italian Airlines to begin direct flights to Eritrea.
Air travel between Ethiopia and Eritrea resumed in July 2018 after a two-decade hiatus caused by the border war. This resumption of flights was part of a broader peace initiative following Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's ascension to power. The leaders of both countries signed the 'Asmara Declaration,' facilitating the movement of people, trade, and communication services.
Currently, while border crossings remain closed, communication services between the two countries continue. Diplomatic relations improved after the end of the Ethiopian civil war in the north, with Eritrea aligning with the Ethiopian government against Tigray forces.