Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to and from Eritrea’s capital, Asmara, effective from 3rd September. The airline attributed the decision to “difficult operating conditions” beyond its control.
Air connections between Ethiopia and Eritrea were re-established in July 2018 after being severed for 20 years due to prolonged conflicts between the two neighbouring countries in the Horn of Africa.
In July, Ethiopian Airlines had previously posted on social media platform X, indicating that Eritrea had halted Ethiopian flights to Asmara from 30th September, without providing an explanation for the suspension.
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In its recent statement on X, Africa’s largest airline expressed regret to its customers, confirming that flights to Asmara were being suspended due to these challenging conditions in Eritrea. The airline did not provide further details regarding the nature of these difficulties.
Despite the suspension of direct flights from 3rd September, Ethiopian Airlines’ website still listed indirect flight options to Asmara from Ethiopia.
The Eritrean government, which remains diplomatically isolated and restricts independent media, has yet to publicly address the situation or comment on the earlier decision in July.