Ethiopian Airlines Halts Flights to Eritrea Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest carrier by revenue and profit, has announced the suspension of its flights to neighboring Eritrea, effective September 3, 2024. The airline cited "very difficult operating conditions" as the reason for this decision, without providing specific details.

This development comes in the wake of Eritrea's earlier announcement to suspend all Ethiopian Airlines flights by the end of September 2024. The suspension marks a significant setback in the relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which had shown signs of improvement in recent years.

In 2018, flights between the two nations resumed after a two-decade hiatus, following a peace agreement that ended years of hostility. This diplomatic breakthrough earned Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia's Prime Minister, the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. The resumption of air travel was seen as a tangible symbol of the thawing relations between the two countries.

The history between Ethiopia and Eritrea has been complex and often tumultuous. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year war. However, tensions reignited in 1998, leading to a two-year border conflict that resulted in an estimated 70,000-100,000 casualties. The dispute centered around the town of Badme and led to a "state of war" that persisted for nearly two decades.

More recently, Eritrea fought alongside Ethiopia in the Tigray conflict, which began in November 2020 and lasted for two years. However, Eritrea's exclusion from the peace talks that ended this conflict, coupled with the continued presence of some Eritrean troops in Tigray, has strained the relationship once again.

"Ethiopian Airlines regrets to inform its valued customers travelling to/from Asmara that it has suspended its flights to Asmara effective Sept.3 ... due to very difficult operating conditions it has encountered in Eritrea that are beyond its control"

The airline has stated that it will assist affected passengers by rebooking them on other airlines at no additional cost or offering refunds. This decision impacts flights to and from Asmara, Eritrea's capital, which is notably a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its modernist architecture.

Ethiopian Airlines, founded on December 21, 1945, has grown to become a major player in the global aviation industry. It operates a fleet of over 130 aircraft and was the first African carrier to operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline's membership in the Star Alliance since December 2011 has further solidified its international presence.

While diplomats suggest that the risk of renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea is currently low, the flight suspension serves as a tangible indicator of the deteriorating diplomatic relations. This situation underscores the fragility of peace in the region, especially considering the recent Tigray conflict, which resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis affecting millions.

As the situation unfolds, the international community will be closely watching the developments between these two Horn of Africa nations, hoping for a resolution that can preserve the hard-won peace of recent years.