Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopian Airlines has announced a significant update to its payment policy for air tickets, effective immediately. The national carrier now requires that passenger tickets for flights originating outside of Ethiopia must be purchased in the currency of the country where the passenger begins their journey, or in hard currency, regardless of the place of ticket purchase.

This policy change aligns with a new directive from the National Bank of Ethiopia and applies to all airlines operating within Ethiopia. The directive aims to streamline the financial processes related to air travel and ensure consistency in ticket purchases.

Key Points of the New Policy:

1. Currency Requirement: For flights originating outside of Ethiopia, tickets must be purchased in the local currency of the departure country or in a recognized hard currency.
2. Local Purchases: For tickets originating from Ethiopia, Ethiopian nationals and foreigners holding a Resident Permit, Work Permit, Diplomatic ID, or Yellow Card issued by the Ethiopian government can still purchase tickets using the local currency (ETB). Foreign nationals buying tickets within Ethiopia will need to pay in hard currency.

The airline has provided multiple channels for customers seeking more information or assistance regarding this policy change. Passengers can visit Ethiopian Airlines ticket offices, local travel agencies, or contact the Global Call International Centre at 6787 (locally). Additional details and support are available on the Ethiopian Airlines website at https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/aa/services/help-and-contact/Global-Customer-Interaction-Centre-numbers.

In a statement, Ethiopian Airlines expressed regret for any inconvenience this policy update may cause and thanked its customers for their understanding and cooperation.

About Ethiopian Airlines:

Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia and a member of the Star Alliance network. It operates a comprehensive international and domestic flight network, making it a crucial player in connecting Africa with the rest of the world.

For more information about Ethiopian Airlines, visit their official website or contact their customer service for further assistance.