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| Champagne and roses on first Ethiopia-Eritrea flights in two decades | Champagne and roses on first Ethiopia-Eritrea flights in two decades |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The first commercial flight from Ethiopia to Eritrea in two decades has departed from Addis Ababa, after the two nations ended their bitter conflict in a whirlwind peace process. | The first commercial flight from Ethiopia to Eritrea in two decades has departed from Addis Ababa, after the two nations ended their bitter conflict in a whirlwind peace process. |
| Ethiopian Airlines said flight ET0312 to Asmara had taken off from Bole international airport. To meet overwhelming demand it ran a second flight within 15 minutes of the first. | Ethiopian Airlines said flight ET0312 to Asmara had taken off from Bole international airport. To meet overwhelming demand it ran a second flight within 15 minutes of the first. |
| “This day marks a unique event in the history of Ethiopia and Eritrea,” the airline’s chief executive, Tewolde GebreMariam, said at a ceremony before the flight. “The fact that we are taking two flights at a time shows the eagerness of the people.” | “This day marks a unique event in the history of Ethiopia and Eritrea,” the airline’s chief executive, Tewolde GebreMariam, said at a ceremony before the flight. “The fact that we are taking two flights at a time shows the eagerness of the people.” |
| An AFP journalist onboard the second flight said flight attendants served champagne to passengers in all classes and handed out roses. | An AFP journalist onboard the second flight said flight attendants served champagne to passengers in all classes and handed out roses. |
| Ethiopian Airlines, one of Africa’s fastest-growing carriers, has said it would initially operate a once-a-day return flight between Addis Ababa and Asmara. | Ethiopian Airlines, one of Africa’s fastest-growing carriers, 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. | “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. |
| He said the opening of Eritrean airspace to Ethiopian Airlines would also mean more efficient routes to the Middle East. | He said the opening of Eritrean airspace to Ethiopian Airlines would also mean more efficient routes to the Middle East. |
| Among the passengers on the first flight was the former prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn, whose shock resignation in February was the first step in a series of shake-ups in Ethiopian politics. “I knew one day it would happen,” Hailemariam said of the peace with Eritrea. | Among the passengers on the first flight was the former prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn, whose shock resignation in February was the first step in a series of shake-ups in Ethiopian politics. “I knew one day it would happen,” Hailemariam said of the peace with Eritrea. |
| Hailemariam was succeeded as prime minister in April by Abiy Ahmed, a 42-year-old former army officer and cabinet minister described by analysts as a “man in an extreme hurry”. | Hailemariam was succeeded as prime minister in April by Abiy Ahmed, a 42-year-old former army officer and cabinet minister described by analysts as a “man in an extreme hurry”. |
| After announcing the liberalisation of parts of the Ethiopian economy and releasing jailed dissidents, last month Abiy declared his intention to make peace with Eritrea after two decades of frozen relations. | After announcing the liberalisation of parts of the Ethiopian economy and releasing jailed dissidents, last month Abiy declared his intention to make peace with Eritrea after two decades of frozen relations. |
| Eritrea was once part of Ethiopia and comprised its entire coastline on the Red Sea until it voted for independence in 1993. A row over the demarcation of the shared border triggered a conflict in 1998-2000 which left 80,000 people dead before evolving into a bitter cold war. | Eritrea was once part of Ethiopia and comprised its entire coastline on the Red Sea until it voted for independence in 1993. A row over the demarcation of the shared border triggered a conflict in 1998-2000 which left 80,000 people dead before evolving into a bitter cold war. |
| Abiy stunned observers with his announcement he would finally accept a 2002 United Nations-backed border demarcation. However, he has yet to announce a withdrawal of troops. | Abiy stunned observers with his announcement he would finally accept a 2002 United Nations-backed border demarcation. However, he has yet to announce a withdrawal of troops. |
| He then paid a visit to Eritrea, during which he and Eritrea’s president, Isaias Afwerki declared an official end to the war. Afwerki reciprocated with a state visit to Ethiopia days later. On Monday Afwerki reopened Eritrea’s embassy in Addis Ababa. | |
| The reunion has been welcomed by Ethiopians, who share strong cultural ties with Eritreans. Many were cut off from family during the long years of enmity. | The reunion has been welcomed by Ethiopians, who share strong cultural ties with Eritreans. Many were cut off from family during the long years of enmity. |
| The rapprochement is expected to provide an economic boost to both nations, offering booming Ethiopia – which currently channels its trade through Djiboutian ports – access to Eritrean shores. | The rapprochement is expected to provide an economic boost to both nations, offering booming Ethiopia – which currently channels its trade through Djiboutian ports – access to Eritrean shores. |
| Amnesty International has said the newfound peace should be a catalyst for change in Eritrea, one of the world’s most isolated nations. Since the end of the war, Isaias has used the threat of Ethiopian aggression to justify a rash of repressive policies, including an indefinite national service programme that the UN has likened to slavery. | Amnesty International has said the newfound peace should be a catalyst for change in Eritrea, one of the world’s most isolated nations. Since the end of the war, Isaias has used the threat of Ethiopian aggression to justify a rash of repressive policies, including an indefinite national service programme that the UN has likened to slavery. |
| Ethiopia | Ethiopia |
| Eritrea | Eritrea |
| Africa | Africa |
| Air transport | |
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