Eritrea and Sudan have closed their airspace to Ethiopian Airlines, according to recent reports, causing disruptions to daily passenger flights. Eritrean sources frame this as Eritrea’s sovereign right to control its airspace in defense of national interests amid what they describe as hostile positions by the Ethiopian government. They argue the measure is long overdue, noting that airspace forms a core element of national sovereignty and security under international law, and that restricting access for Ethiopian carriers is a necessary step for regional stability.
Tensions on the ground are also rising. On 2 August 2026, forces linked to the Ethiopian government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly opened fire and launched a sudden heavy artillery and drone attack on Tigray Army positions stationed in Shererina near the Sudanese border.
In case Eritrea’s and Sudan’s airspace are closed to Ethiopia, Ethiopian Airlines would suffer. Ethiopian Airlines’ prices for flights would increase, as Ethiopia would face higher overflight fees and fuel costs for longer distances using South Sudan or Djibouti’s airspace to bypass its neighbors.
photo source: Nationalerinterest on Facebook