Ethiopia resumes commercial flights to Eritrea after 20 years
Wed Jul 18, 2018 09:22:am Africa
3.1K By Obiaks Blog
Just just over a week after former enemies -Ethiopia and Eritrea- signed a peace declaration, commercial flights between the countries has resumed with the inaugural flight taking off at about 9.30am local time.
This is just the latest steps being taken toward restoring ties between the countries after 20 years of hostility.
The flight linking the two capital cities, Addis Ababa and Asmara, was filled with 456 passengers including former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and his wife as well as ambassadors, civil society organisation representatives and journalists amongst those onboard.
The former prime minister, Mr Hailemariam told a BBC reporter he was excited to be on the inaugural flight, and was emotional adding "It's a golden moment for the two countries and the two people."
Also excited about the trip is the flight captain Yosef Hailu,who told the reporter the trip felt unique despite flying for the past 38 years.
"I'm going back to where I grew up... I am in cloud nine", he said.
Amongst other measures already taken is the re-establishment of phone communication between the two countries which has allowed family members cut off by years of hostilities to get in touch and on Monday the Eritrean embassy in Addis Ababa was re-opened.
This is just the latest steps being taken toward restoring ties between the countries after 20 years of hostility.
The flight linking the two capital cities, Addis Ababa and Asmara, was filled with 456 passengers including former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and his wife as well as ambassadors, civil society organisation representatives and journalists amongst those onboard.
The former prime minister, Mr Hailemariam told a BBC reporter he was excited to be on the inaugural flight, and was emotional adding "It's a golden moment for the two countries and the two people."
Also excited about the trip is the flight captain Yosef Hailu,who told the reporter the trip felt unique despite flying for the past 38 years.
"I'm going back to where I grew up... I am in cloud nine", he said.
Amongst other measures already taken is the re-establishment of phone communication between the two countries which has allowed family members cut off by years of hostilities to get in touch and on Monday the Eritrean embassy in Addis Ababa was re-opened.
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