02 March 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopian Airlines announced it has stopped using Somalia’s airspace due to safety concerns related to air traffic services. The airline’s CEO, Mesfen Tase, told BBC Amharic that they haven’t received “safe air traffic services” from Somali controllers.
The decision follows an incident on February 24th involving Ethiopian Airlines flight 602 en route to Dubai. The airline reported a potentially hazardous situation where a Qatar Airways aircraft, with permission from Somali air traffic controllers, came within 23 kilometers of the Ethiopian plane. The Somaliland Aviation Authority criticized the incident as dangerously close to a collision, accusing Somali controllers of providing misleading information.
Following the incident and lack of response from Somali authorities, Ethiopian Airlines made the decision to stop using Somali airspace for its Asia-bound flights, starting February 18th. CEO Tase emphasized that passenger safety was the primary motivation for this change.
Ethiopian Airlines has rerouted its flights to Asia through Djibouti’s airspace, incurring no additional costs. The airline continues to operate flights to Mogadishu and Hargeisa without disruption.
Somali aviation authorities denied any safety concerns regarding the distance between the Ethiopian and Qatari planes. However, Ethiopian Airlines maintains its position and continues using alternative routes.
This situation highlights ongoing tensions between the two countries and raises concerns about air traffic safety in the region.
