‘You can’t fire me. I quit!’
Ethiopian Airlines suspends flights to Asmara effective September 3, 2024, that is a month ahead of the deadline given by the Eritrean Civil Aviation authority, citing “difficult operating conditions” it has encountered in Eritrea that are “beyond its control.”
The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience to its customers and assured affected passengers that it will make every effort to rebook them on other airlines at no additional cost. “Alternatively, passengers can receive full refund for their tickets,” the national flag carrier said in a statement released late Monday.
On July 24, the Eritrean Civil Aviation ordered the suspension of Ethiopian Airlines operations in Asmara, a decision stemmed from continuous malicious trading practices by the Airline.
“Cognizant to the consistent and persistent malicious trading practices pursued by Ethiopian Airlines in general and systematic 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 witnessed, the Civil Aviation Authority is compelled to suspend all Ethiopian Airlines flights destined to Eritrea, with effect from 30 September 2024,” said a statement from the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority.
Flights between Ethiopia and Eritrea resumed in 2018 after a peace deal and the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two neighbors. This development contributed to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize the following year. [TN]
