Ethiopian Airlines announces investigation into Eritrea ban

The announcement came after the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority decided to suspend Ethiopian Airlines flights to Asmara from September 20, 2017.

The National Civil Aviation Authority, for Eritrean passengers travelling on Ethiopian Airlines, stated in a notice published in the country’s newspapers today, Wednesday, July 17, 2016 and circulated on social networking platforms that all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Eritrea will be suspended.

On the other hand, three days ago, last Sunday, July 14, 2016, Ethiopian Airlines released a statement on its social media website, Eritrean Civil Aviation, this afternoon regarding the suspension decision. He mentioned that he had been informed of the decision in a letter.

Hana Atnafu, the airline’s head of corporate communications, told VOA: “Two weeks ago, the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority informed us in a letter to increase the number of flights; now we are shocked to be told to cancel flights completely; he said. As for the reasons for this decision, they announced that they are discussing with relevant Eritrean officials.

In the circular and notice issued by the Eritrean Civil Aviation, the reasons for the suspension of flights were listed. One of them was that the airline was “engaged in improper business practices.” He said that passengers would be charged unreasonable ticket prices; systematic and organized luggage thefts also occurred from time to time; he was suing Ethiopian Airlines. He also stated in the notice that Ethiopian Airlines flights would be delayed, flights would be frequent, and luggage would be delayed.

The aviation side said that, taking these as a starting point, Ethiopian Airlines “did not provide compensation for these problems”. He blamed it. Reminding Ethiopian Airlines to solve the problems did not bring results, the Civil Aviation Notice explained that this decision had been made.

Hana Atnafu, the airline’s corporate communications director, explained to VOA that the reason for the ban was not disclosed in the letter to the airline. The director added that the content of today’s aviation announcement contradicts another letter sent to us by Eritrean Civil Aviation two weeks ago. They said.

The Civil Aviation Authority in the same letter asked Ethiopian Airlines to increase the number of flights, he said.

After a twenty-year hiatus due to the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Ethiopian Airlines flights to Eritrea resumed in 2010 after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power. I remember it was late March.