Ethiopian Airlines Halts Flights to Eritrea Amid Banking Freeze

Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights to Eritrea as its bank account in the country has been frozen by the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority. The decision follows a series of deteriorating relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The airline will rebook affected passengers or offer refunds.

Ethiopian Airlines announced on Tuesday the suspension of its flights to neighboring Eritrea, citing a freeze on its bank account in Asmara by the Eritrean Civil Aviation Authority.

CEO Mesfin Tasew disclosed that the financial block had forced the airline to halt operations. This follows an earlier statement from Eritrea indicating that all Ethiopian Airlines flights would be suspended by the month's end.

Flights between the two nations had only resumed in 2018 following a peace agreement, but recent tensions have tarnished the relationship, including Eritrea's exclusion from peace talks addressing a conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region. Affected passengers will be accommodated on other airlines or offered refunds.

(With inputs from agencies.)