Airlines Ethiopian resumes flight to Eritrea’s capital Asmara

Ethiopian Airlines has announced to resume flights from Addis Abeba to Asmara, Eritrea’s capital, from mid-July on. According to the summer flight plan, the connection will start with one flight daily. The airline is planning to increase flight frequency soon.

Flights from Ethiopia to Eritrea stopped when war broke out between the two countries in 1998. In 2000, an armistice was signed but the conflict remained. Ethiopia’s prime minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrea’s president Isayas Afewerki now signed a peace treaty officially ending the conflict between the two African countries.

“We at Ethiopian feel an immense honor and joy to resume scheduled flights to Asmara after 20 years, following the visit to Eritrea by H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. With the opening of a new chapter of peace and friendship between the two sisterly countries, we look forward to starting flights to Asmara with the B787, the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft, which gives customers unparalleled on-board comfort.”, said Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.

The airline will employ a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the route to Asmara. The aircraft is scheduled to depart Addis Abeba at 9 a.m. daily and take off for the return flight at 11 a.m.

Ethiopian Airlines is one of the continent’s leading carriers and the fastest growing airline in Africa. Africa’s flag carrier was founded in 1945 and today operates a fleet of 100 aircraft with 68 aircraft on order.

According to different aviation newspapers, Ethiopian Airlines is considering an investment in Eritrea’s national carrier Eritrean Airlines. Earlier this year, Ethiopian Airlines has announced to launch partnerships with other African carriers and has already started a cooperation with the re-launched Zambia Airways.