Ethiopian Airlines Debunks Eritrean Airspace Ban Rumors Amid Media Claims

Ethiopian Airlines has dismissed recent reports claiming that it has been banned from flying in Eritrean airspace, labeling such information as incorrect. The airline confirmed to the fact-checking platform Ethiopia Check that it continues to operate flights in Eritrean airspace without any restrictions.

In recent days, several Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Somali online media outlets have reported that Eritrea has barred Ethiopian Airlines from using its airspace. Despite these reports, outlets like ‘Eritrean Press’ have not presented concrete evidence to support their claims, instead linking the issue to a recent limitation on the airline’s flights to Eritrea.

Responding to these claims, Ethiopian Airlines clarified its position through Ethiopia Check.

“Our airline continues to fly in Eritrean airspace; the information about a ban is false,” a senior airline official stated. “We still have permission to operate in Eritrean airspace, and we have not received any indication from Eritrea that this permission has been withdrawn,” the official added, noting that the status remains unchanged.

Meanwhile, Flight Radar 24, a popular flight tracking website and app, responded on X (formerly Twitter), mentioning that some aircraft have opted to bypass Eritrean airspace by rerouting through Sudan.

Despite these observations, many social media users have shared screenshots showing Ethiopian Airlines’ continued operations within Eritrean airspace, further suggesting that no official ban is in place.