Addis Ababa, September 2, 2024 – In a significant development that has raised concerns across the region, Ethiopian Airlines has suspended all flights to and from Asmara, effective September 3, 2024. The suspension follows mounting operational challenges in Eritrea, compounded by a government directive that has brought the airline’s operations to a halt.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Eritrea’s Ministry of Transport and Communications made the suspension official through a notice published on July 24 in the state-run newspaper Hadas Eritrea. The directive, which mandates the suspension of Ethiopian Airlines flights from September 30, 2024, comes with serious allegations against the airline.
According to the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority, the suspension was prompted by what it described as “organized and systematic” abuse of Eritrean passengers by Ethiopian Airlines. The authority accused the airline of several infractions, including the theft of passengers’ luggage, frequent delays in both flights and baggage handling, and a failure to compensate affected passengers. Additionally, the authority criticized the airline for what it called an unreasonable increase in ticket prices, further exacerbating the grievances of Eritrean travelers.
“Repeated reminders given to Ethiopian Airlines to resolve the above-mentioned problems did not yield results, and from September 30, 2024, Ethiopian Airlines flights to Eritrea have been suspended,” the Civil Aviation Authority stated in its official release.
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest and most profitable airline, has acknowledged the suspension but attributed its decision to suspend flights ahead of the government’s deadline to ongoing operational difficulties in Eritrea. The airline, which has long faced challenges in maintaining its service to Asmara, emphasized that the decision was made in the best interest of passenger safety and operational viability.
In response to the suspension, Ethiopian Airlines has pledged to support affected passengers. The airline is offering rebooking on alternative carriers at no additional cost, or a full refund for those who choose not to travel. Passengers seeking assistance have been advised to contact the nearest Ethiopian Airlines office or reach out to the Ethiopian Global Call Center, with contact details available on the airline’s website at www.ethiopianairlines.com.
This is not the first time Ethiopian Airlines has had to suspend its flights to Asmara. In 2020, the airline temporarily halted services due to similar operational and regulatory challenges, only to resume flights after conditions stabilized. However, the current suspension, driven both by operational difficulties and the direct intervention of the Eritrean government, signals a more severe and potentially prolonged disruption.
The suspension of flights is expected to have wide-reaching implications, not just for the passengers directly affected but also for the broader relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Ethiopian Airlines has been a crucial player in maintaining the limited connectivity between the two countries, and its absence is likely to disrupt travel, trade, and diplomatic activities.
As the situation develops, it remains unclear when or if Ethiopian Airlines will resume its services to Asmara. The airline has expressed its hope that conditions will improve and that it can once again serve its Eritrean passengers. For now, however, the skies between Ethiopia and Eritrea will be quieter, marking a significant setback in regional connectivity.
This suspension adds to the growing list of challenges facing Ethiopian Airlines, which has worked to maintain its reputation as a leading carrier in Africa despite the increasingly complex operational environment in Eritrea.
This report does not tell the whole story about this cancellation of flight from Addis/Finfinne to Asmara. From what I heard, there have been serious custom violation issues since flights to and from Asmara were resumed after 2018.