Effective from the last day of September 2024, Ethiopian Airlines will no longer fly into Eritrea.
A dispatch from the Ethiopian State-Owned carrier confirms that the Airline planes have been banned from landing in Asmara.
Dear Esteemed Passengers,
Ethiopian Airlines has received a notice from the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority through a letter dated 21 July 2024 indicating the suspension of all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Eritrea, effective September 30, 2024.
The specific reasons for this suspension have not been disclosed to us.
Ethiopian Airlines is currently seeking clarification from the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority and is committed to resolving any issues amicably and promptly.
We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Ethiopian Airlines
Proud member of Star Alliance
But if reports from the Eritrean Authorities are anything to go by,it seems there have been a series of malpractice on the side of the Ethiopian carrier.
Among the reasons quoted in their letter include targeted price gouging, inappropriate and poor customer service, stolen as well as cases of lost luggage.
The Dispatch from the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority lists “Cognizant of the consistent and persistent malicious trading practices pursued by Ethiopian Airlines in general and systematic and organized passengers’ luggage theft, pilferage, damage, prolonged delays and loss with no compensation in particular, coupled with unjustified and unwarranted price hikes and other irregularities witnessed.”
According to Eritrean authorities, repeated and relentless calls made on Ethiopia Airlines to rectify the above referenced pitfalls and other irregularities imposed on the travelling public, have borne no fruit, at least yet
Bearing that in mind, the Civil Aviation Authority is compelled to suspend all Ethiopian Airlines flights destined to Eritrea, with effect from 30 September 2024.
In light of that, all Ethiopian Airlines travellers destined to the State of Eritrea are hereby, advised to adjust their flights and subsequently look for other options as appropriate.
Ethiopian is the biggest Airline in Africa, which also happens to own stakes in other carriers on the continent, which means it can still fly into Asmara incognito, aboard proxy airlines.