Eritrea Suspends Ethiopian Airlines Flights Over Alleged Misconduct and Price Hikes

ASMARA - The Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority has announced the suspension of all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, effective from September 30, 2024. The decision comes in the wake of a series of complaints from Eritrean passengers about what they describe as "malicious trading practices" by the airline.

According to the Eritrean government, Ethiopian Airlines has been accused of a litany of offenses, including "theft of passengers' luggage," frequent flight and baggage delays, failure to compensate passengers, and "unjustified and unwarranted price hikes." Despite repeated reminders to the airline to rectify these issues, the Eritrean authorities claim that no action was taken, leading to the suspension of all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Eritrea.

The suspension of Ethiopian Airlines flights to Asmara marks a significant development in the relationship between the two countries, which had only recently normalized diplomatic relations. The move is likely to have far-reaching implications for travelers between the two countries, as Ethiopian Airlines was one of the few carriers providing direct flights between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The Eritrean government has urged passengers planning to fly with Ethiopian Airlines after September 30 to make alternative arrangements. In addition to Ethiopian Airlines, several other airlines, including Saudi Arabian, Turkish, and Egyptian carriers, offer regular flights to Asmara.

The suspension of Ethiopian Airlines flights to Eritrea comes on the heels of a recent visit by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to Italy, where an agreement was reached for Italian Airlines to start flights to Eritrea. This development suggests that Eritrea is actively seeking to diversify its aviation partnerships in the wake of the suspension of Ethiopian Airlines flights.

The resumption of air travel between Ethiopia and Eritrea in July 2010, after a two-decade hiatus due to the border war, had been seen as a symbol of the improving relations between the two countries. However, the recent suspension of Ethiopian Airlines flights to Asmara has cast a shadow over the fragile peace between the two nations.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Ethiopian Airlines will respond to the allegations made by the Eritrean authorities and whether the suspension of flights will have a lasting impact on the relationship between the two countries.

GAROWE ONLINE