Addis Ababa: The Ethiopian Airlines revealed the various challenges it faced in Eritrea, including the frozen of Asmara station revenue account, prompting the airline to suspend flights to the country effective 3 September 2024, CEO Mesfin Tasew said.
In a media briefing he gave today, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tassew noted the airline made various efforts to sustain flights to Eritrea despite series of challenges that finally made the airline suspend flights to Eritrea.
He recalled that Ethiopian provided flight services twice in a week to its Eritrean customers to/ from Ethiopia during the last 6 years.
However, since recently Ethiopian has been subjected to various pressures by the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority.
“On March 26, 2024, we received a letter from Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority which claimed that costumers’ luggage are delayed.”
To address the concern, Ethiopian Airlines requested a list of customers that have complaints; but, we received no response.
In addition to this,
the CEO revealed that Ethiopian Airlines Asmara station revenue account was frozen and our effort to get explanation from the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority was not successful.
Because of these and other related problems, Ethiopian Airlines has decided to suspend its flights to Asmara, he elaborated.
The CEO finally regretted the suspension which creates inconvenience to costumers; but added that flight arrangements will be made for those who booked flight to Asmara and other will be fully refunded.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency