Rising anxiety as Eritrea bans Ethiopian Airlines flights

July 24, 2024 in Business, Companies, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

ET-ATV Boeing 737-800 after it veered off the end of the runway at Entebbe on January 3.

Eritrea has served notice of suspension of Ethiopian Airlines services to its territory effective September 30, in an escalating dispute over what Asmara describes as unfair trade practices by the Ethiopian flag carrier.

In a July 21 letter, the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority, complains  that Ethiopian has failed to  to address complaints about repeated damage and loss of passenger luggage, pilfering and flight delays, without due compensation. Asmara also complains about high fares paid by Eritrea bound passengwrs and other irregularities.

“Cognizant of the consistent and persistent malicious trading practices pursued by Ethiopian Airlines in general and systematic and organised passenger luggage theft, pilferage, damage, prolonged flight delays and loss with no compensation, in particular coupled with unjustified and unwarranted price hikes and other irregularities witnessed.

“Moreover, repeated and relentless calls made on Ethiopian Airlines to rectify the above referenced pitfalls and other irregularities imposed on the travelling public borne no fruit yet.

“Bearing that in mind, the Civil Aviation Authority is compelled to suspend all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Eritrea with effect from 30 September 2024,” the letter from the Eritrean CAA reads in part.

In a public notice, Ethiopian Airlines acknowledged receiving “a notice from the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority through a letter dated 21 July 2024 indicating the suspension of all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Eritrea, effective September 30, 2024. The specific reasons for this suspension have not been disclosed to us.

“Ethiopian Airlines is currently seeking clarification from the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority and is committed to resolving any issues amicably and promptly.
We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.”

The backlash from the development is already being felt by the travelling public. An Eritrean family that wanted to repatriate remains of their loved one to Asmara using Ethiopian Airlines told 256BN they were unable to do so because tokd them it wad not accepting human remains for transit to Eritrea.

Despite the development, Ethiopians regular double daily 737 Max-8 to Asmara operated uninterrupted on Wednesday. However, if the suspension goes ahead on September 30, it will have  significant impact on Eritrea’s connectivity. Ethiopian which reinstated services to Eritrea in July 2018, after a 20 year hiatus, provides 15 of the 44 scheduled departures out of Asmara.