East African nation bans Ethiopian Airlines flights

Ethiopian Airlines announced on Wednesday that Eritrean aviation authorities have decided to suspend all flights by the airline effective September 30.

According to a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Ethiopian Airlines received a letter from the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority notifying them of the decision.

“Ethiopian Airlines has received 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 statement read. 

“The specific reasons for this suspension have not been disclosed to us,” it said. Ethiopian Airlines did not disclose the content of the letter from the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority. The company said it would provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.

The Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority had previously circulated a letter accusing Ethiopian Airlines of various infractions. These include “consistent and persistent malicious trading practices,” and “systemic and organized passengers’ luggage theft, pilferage, damage, prolonged delays, and loss with no compensation in particular, coupled with unjustified and unwarranted price hikes and other irregularities,” local media reported.

Authorities have advised people intending to travel with Ethiopian Airlines to Eritrea to reconsider their plans in light of the suspension of flights. 

Ethiopian Airlines had resumed service to Asmara, the Eritrean capital, in July 2018, following the normalization of relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The state-owned carrier holds the distinction of being ranked as the largest airline in Africa based on both revenue and profit according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).