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Toronto – The Ethiopian Airlines on Monday announced that it is suspending flights to Asmara, Eritrea, as of September 3, 2024.
Africa’s leading airline’s suspension of the one hour and twenty minutes flight between Addis Ababa and Asmara was anticipated as the Eritrean government has announced in late July that the airline is not allowed to fly to the country as of September.
In its announcement which is shard on its social media page, the airline said “Ethiopian Airlines regrets to inform its valued customers travelling to/from Asmara that it has suspended its flights to Asmara effective September 3, 2024, due to very difficult operating conditions it has encountered in Eritrea that are beyond its control.”
Ethiopian Airlines had been having conversations with the relevant Eritrean government authority to address complaints from the Eritrean government.
Ethiopian Airlines said that it will rebook those affected by the situation with another airline. It does not incur additional cost to the passengers as the Airlines will handle it. For those passengers that can not be accommodated by that arrangement, the airline advised passengers to contact the global Ethiopian Airlines contact center to receive a refund.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time. Ethiopian Airlines Star Alliance Member,” the airlines said.
In late July this year , Eritrea wrote a short letter to Ethiopian Airlines to notify suspension of its flights to Eritrea. The letter read : ““Please be informed that all Ethiopian Airlines Flights destined to Eritrea shall be suspended with effect from September 20, 2024.”
There are views that the Eritrean government’s decision is politically motivated as relations with Abiy Ahmed’s Administration deteriorated over the past three or so years. Ethiopian Airlines did not remark about it and why the operating condition in Eritrea became “difficult.”
Somalia followed Eritrea’s suit and gave Ethiopian Airlines a 48 hours flight suspension on alleged grounds of “violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.” Ethiopian Airlines managed to solve the problem after making changes in the way it describes the Hargeisa destination which Somalia wants to be under Somalia Country code.
Eritrea and Somalia have forged a close military and political Alliance. The former has already trained tens of thousands of Somalian troops.
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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 issues since flights to and from Asmara were resumed after 2018.
Ibsaa alamudin
1995
Sartuu
What a gem of the colored just like the old country itself!!!
Wait a minute! I’m ahead of myself here! This is just in and hot off the press. It is now reported that the EAL’s revenue has tanked by more than 99% because it lost daily flights to Piccolo Roma. All its planes are now being auctioned off on 9th Street in DC. Hurry up and bid before it is all gone! It is reported that its CEO has found a refuge in an abandoned building in Minnesota, Toronto, Oslo, LA, Tennessee, Michigan and Down Under being hounded by bigots and connivers.