Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, announced late Monday that it has suspended flights to neighboring Eritrea, citing unspecified difficult operating conditions. The decision follows an earlier announcement by Eritrea that it would suspend all Ethiopian Airlines flights by the end of this month.
This move comes after a period of renewed connections between the two nations, with flights having resumed in 2018 after a 20-year hiatus. The resumption followed a historic peace deal that restored diplomatic ties and earned Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019.
Diplomatic sources have indicated that the suspension is a clear sign of worsening relations between Asmara and Addis Ababa, though they noted that the likelihood of renewed conflict remains low for now. The two countries have a history of conflict, having severed ties in 1998 when a war broke out over a disputed border, lasting two years.
Eritrea had previously supported Ethiopia in its conflict against regional forces from Tigray, which began in November 2020. However, relations between the two countries have soured once again, especially after Eritrea was excluded from the peace talks that ended the conflict in 2022, and because Eritrean troops remain in Tigray.
In its statement, Ethiopian Airlines expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers, announcing that the suspension would take effect on September 3. The airline promised to rebook affected travelers on other airlines at no additional cost or offer refunds but did not elaborate on the specific challenges faced in Eritrea.
Attempts to reach Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel for comment were unsuccessful. Ethiopian Airlines, ranked by the International Air Transport Association as the largest in Africa by revenue and profit, has not provided further details on the situation.
Credit: Reuters (Text Excluding Headline)
