Ethiopia and Eritrea resume air services

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Ethiopia and Eritrea resume air services

Addis Ababa - Ethiopian Airlines said Flight ET0312 had arrived in the Eritrean capital Asmara after a one-and-a-half hour flight from Addis Ababa.

By AFP

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Published: Wed 18 Jul 2018, 9:27 PM

Last updated: Wed 18 Jul 2018, 11:35 PM

Ethiopia and Eritrea on Wednesday resumed commercial airline flights for the first time in two decades, marking the latest phase in a whirlwind peace process between the former foes.
Ethiopian Airlines said Flight ET0312 had arrived in the Eritrean capital Asmara after a one-and-a-half hour flight from Addis Ababa.
"The bird of peace has just flown to Asmara," the airline wrote on Twitter shortly after take-off from Bole International Airport.
"This day marks a unique event in the history of Ethiopia and Eritrea," the airline's chief executive Tewolde GebreMariam said at a ceremony inaugurating the historic flight.
Overwhelming demand saw the African aviation giant operate two flights within 15 minutes of each other.
"The fact that we are taking two flights at a time shows the eagerness of the people," said Tewolde.
A journalist onboard the second flight said passengers posed for selfies shortly before take-off. Smiling flight attendants also handed out roses to the passengers.
Ethiopian Airlines has said it would initially operate a once-a-day return flight between Addis Ababa and Asmara. "With the demand we are witnessing, I think we're going to increase the frequency to twice a day, thrice a day and even more," said Tewolde.


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