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Addis Ababa (AFP)

The first commercial flight to Eritrea in two decades departed Wednesday from Addis Ababa after the two nations ended their bitter conflict in a whirlwind peace process.

Ethiopian Airlines said that flight ET0312 to Asmara had departed Bole International Airport, the latest concrete sign of a thaw between the neighbouring countries which began only six weeks ago.

"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.

An AFP journalist onboard the second flight said champagne was served to passengers in all classes, who toasted each other shortly before take-off.

Smiling flight attendants also handed out roses to the passengers.

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.

He said the opening of the Eritrean airspace to Ethiopian Airlines would also mean more efficient routes to the Middle East.

Among the passengers on the first flight was former prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn, whose shock resignation in February was the first step in a series of shake ups in Ethiopian politics and the Horn of Africa at large.

"I knew one day it would happen," Hailemariam said of the peace with Eritrea.

- 'A man in a hurry' -

Hailemariam was succeeded in April by Prime Minister 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, Abiy last month 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 after decades of bloody conflict.

A row over the demarcation of the shared border triggered a brutal 1998-2000 conflict 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 pull out of troops.

He then paid a historic visit to Eritrea, during which he and President Isaias Afwerki declared an official end to the war. Afwerki reciprocated with a state visit to Ethiopia just days later.

The emotion-filled reunion has been welcomed by Ethiopians, who share strong cultural ties with Eritreans, and many of whom were completely cut off from family during the long years of enmity.

On Monday Afwerki re-opened Eritrea's embassy in Addis Ababa.

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.

Meanwhile 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 the UN has likened to slavery.

© 2018 AFP</s>Ethiopian Airlines conducted the first direct passenger flights between Addis Ababa and Asmara, reconnecting Eritrea and Ethiopia after a 20-year military standoff.

The carrier said flight ET0312 to Asmara departed Bole International Airport on Wednesday after a ceremony inaugurating the historic flight.

"This day marks an unique event in the history of Ethiopia and Eritrea," the airline's chief executive Tewolde GebreMariam said at the ceremony.

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 GebreMariam.

Al Jazeera's Mohamed Adow, reporting from Addis Ababa, said the majority of the passengers were people separated from their families by the war.

"On the eve of the war, Ethiopia expelled more than 70,000 Eritreans and Eritrea did the same, expelling thousands more from its territories and that created separations between families," he said.

Wednesday's development is the latest positive step taken by the neighbouring countries in the last two weeks.

On July 9, Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Eritrea's capital Asmara to sign a landmark agreement with President Isaias Afwerki, formally ending the "state of war" between their nations.

A week later, Isaias visited Ethiopia to reopen Eritrea's embassy in Addis Ababa. The newly appointed reformist Abiy first instigated the peace overtures and restoration of relations in April.

Ethiopia and Eritrea expelled each others' envoys at the start of the 1998-2000 border war, which killed about 80,000 people.

Once a province of Ethiopia, Eritrea seceded in 1993 after a long independence struggle. A row over the demarcation of their shared border triggered the conflict.

The Horn of Africa nations remained at loggerheads since Ethiopia rejected a United Nations ruling and refused to cede to Eritrea land along the countries' border following the 1998-2000 war.</s>The first commercial flight in 20 years from Ethiopia to Eritrea has landed in the Eritrean capital, the latest sign of normalized ties between the longtime foes.

Ethiopian Airlines tweeted a picture of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner taking off for the short flight from Addis Ababa to Asmara with the caption "The bird of peace has just flown to #Asmara! #Familyreunion #Ethiopia #Eritrea"

Passengers on the flight included former Ethiopian prime minister Haliemariam Desalegn, who led the travelers off the plane onto a red carpet at the Asmara airport, according to a VOA Horn of Africa reporter at the scene.

The flight is the latest chapter in a new and fast-moving era of detente that began when Ethiopia's new reformist prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, announced in June that Addis Ababa would finally honor a deal signed in 2000 to end a two-year border war that killed an estimated 70,000 people.

Earlier this month, Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki signed a historic peace deal that formally ended one of Africa’s longest, most intractable conflicts.

The two nations have since restored telephone lines, and Eritrea has reopened its embassy in Addis Ababa on Monday.

Eritrea was a former province of Ethiopia until breaking away and declaring its independence in 1993.</s>Ethiopia has appointed an ambassador to Eritrea for the first time in 20 years, state-affiliated media reported Thursday, the latest in a series of dizzying peace moves between the neighbours.

The announcement follows a flurry of diplomacy between the former enemies that included visits between their leaders and the first commercial flights between their capitals in two decades.

"Redwan Hussein has been appointed as Ethiopia's ambassador to Eritrea -- the first for 20 years, the foreign ministry said," according to Ethiopia's state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate.

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki reopened his country's embassy in Ethiopia on Monday during a three-day official visit to Addis Ababa.

However there has been no report of the reopening of the Ethiopian embassy in Asmara.

Once a province of Ethiopia, Eritrea voted to leave in 1993 after a bloody, decades-long independence struggle.

Ethiopia and Eritrea expelled each others' envoys at the start of a 1998-2000 border war that killed around 80,000 people.

Relations remained frozen after Ethiopia declined to accept a 2002 United Nations-backed border demarcation, leading to years of cold war between the two countries.

Last month, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced Ethiopia would accept the demarcation and cede land to Eritrea. However, it has not yet announced the withdrawal of troops from the area.

Abiy has pursued an aggressive reform agenda since taking office in April, including making peace with Eritrea, releasing jailed dissidents and liberalising parts of the economy.

After declaring his intention to make peace on June 5, events have moved at breakneck speed.

Abiy visited Asmara a month later, announcing the normalisation of diplomatic and economic ties, and on July 9, the two leaders signed a joint declaration declaring the end of the war.

On Wednesday two packed Ethiopian Airlines flights became the first commercial services to link Asmara and Addis Ababa for two decades.</s>Hailed as “the bird of peace”, the first commercial flight from Ethiopia to former rival Eritrea has landed as air links resumed after the extraordinary end to a 20-year state of war.

Hailed as “the bird of peace”, the first commercial flight from Ethiopia to former rival Eritrea has landed as air links resumed after the extraordinary end to a 20-year state of war.

First commercial flight from Ethiopia to ex-rival Eritrea touches down

Eritrea’s information minister announced the arrival of the Ethiopian Airlines flight in the capital, Asmara, to a warm red-carpet welcome with the flags of both nations displayed.

“Astonishing!” Eritrea’s ambassador to Kenya and Tanzania, Beyene Russom, said on Twitter.

The flight’s hundreds of passengers included people seeking to reunite with family, as well as former Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who was embraced by Eritrea’s foreign minister on arrival.

The dramatic diplomatic thaw in one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts began last month when Ethiopia’s reformist new prime minister fully accepted a peace deal that ended a 1998-2000 border war that killed tens of thousands.

Breakthroughs quickly followed, with the leader of each country visiting the other and being welcomed with hugs and laughter.

Eritrea’s embassy in Ethiopia opened this week and Ethiopia is poised to open its Asmara embassy, according to reports.

The international community, including the United States, has praised the end of hostilities.

Telephone lines have been restored and economic links are being pursued as landlocked Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country, eyes Eritrea’s Red Sea ports. Ethiopian Airlines said it would buy a 20% stake in Eritrean Airlines.

Eritrea, one of the world’s most reclusive nations, has been ruled by President Isaias Afwerki since it gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993.

The state of war kept the country of five million in a constant state of military readiness with a system of compulsory conscription that sent thousands of people fleeing the country toward Europe and elsewhere.

Observers now wonder whether the end of fighting with Ethiopia will lead Eritrea to open up and embrace new freedoms.

“Hopefully the end of the stand-off will lead to meaningful reforms that will address human rights abuses in both countries,” Human Rights Watch said, pointing out that Eritrea has no constitution and has not held elections since 1993.

One unresolved issue is the fate of the roughly 170,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers living in Ethiopia.

The expansion of tourism with the new flights brings a likely economic boost to Eritrea, which has faced years of UN sanctions over alleged support to extremists, which the government has denied. Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed has already called for the sanctions to be lifted.

Eritrea’s capital last year was named on the Unesco World Heritage list in appreciation of Asmara’s 19th and early 20th century modernist architecture, designed by colonial-era Italian architects, and its highland environment.</s>Passengers sit inside an Ethiopian Airlines ET314 flight to Eritrea's capital Asmara at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia July 18, 2018

The first commercial flight from Ethiopia to Eritrea has taken off as air links are restored after the end of a 20-year state of war.

Ethiopian Airlines has tweeted a photo of the flight leaving Addis Ababa for Eritrea's capital, Asmara. Those on board include people seeking to reunite with family long separated by the conflict.

The dramatic diplomatic thaw began last month when Ethiopia's reformist new prime minister fully embraced a peace deal that ended a 1998-2000 border war.

Breakthroughs swiftly followed, with the leader of each country visiting the other and being welcomed with an embrace.

The international community has praised the end of one of Africa's longest-running conflicts. Telephone lines have been restored and economic links are being pursued as landlocked Ethiopia eyes Eritrea's Red Sea ports.</s>JOHANNESBURG—Hailed as “the bird of peace,” the first commercial flight from Ethiopia to former rival Eritrea landed on Wednesday as air links resumed after the swift and stunning end of a 20-year state of war. Eritrea’s information minister announced the arrival of the Ethiopian Airlines flight in the capital, Asmara, to a warm red-carpet welcome with the flags of both nations displayed. “Astonishing!” Eritrea’s ambassador to Kenya and Tanzania, Beyene Russom, said on Twitter.

‘This is a historic day for all of us’: Eritrea’s president visits Ethiopia amid thaw between former rivals Leaders of longtime rivals Ethiopia and Eritrea meet for first time in two decades The dramatic diplomatic thaw in one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts began last month when Ethiopia’s reformist new prime minister fully accepted a peace deal that ended a 1998-2000 border war that killed tens of thousands. Breakthroughs quickly followed, with the leader of each country visiting the other and being welcomed with hugs and laughter. Eritrea’s embassy in Ethiopia opened this week and Ethiopia is poised to open its Asmara embassy, the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported Wednesday, citing the foreign ministry. The international community, including the United States, has praised the end of hostilities. Telephone lines have been restored and economic links are being pursued as landlocked Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country, eyes Eritrea’s Red Sea ports. Ethiopian Airlines on Tuesday said it would buy a 20 per cent stake in Eritrean Airlines.

Eritrea, one of the world’s most reclusive nations, has been ruled by President Isaias Afwerki since it gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. The state of war kept the country of 5 million in a constant state of military readiness with a system of compulsory conscription that sent thousands of people fleeing the country toward Europe and elsewhere. Observers now wonder whether the end of fighting with Ethiopia will lead Eritrea to open up and embrace new freedoms. “Hopefully the end of the standoff will lead to meaningful reforms that will address human rights abuses in both countries,” Human Rights Watch said in a statement Wednesday, pointing out that Eritrea has no constitution and has not held elections since 1993.

One unresolved issue is the fate of the roughly 170,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers living in Ethiopia. The expansion of tourism with the new flights brings a likely economic boost to Eritrea, which has faced years of UN sanctions over alleged support to extremists, which the government has denied. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed already has called for the sanctions to be lifted. Eritrea’s capital last year was named to the UNESCO World Heritage list in appreciation of Asmara’s 19th and early 20th century modernist architecture, designed by colonial-era Italian architects, and its highland environment.</s>1st commercial flight goes from Ethiopia to ex-rival Eritrea

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The first commercial flight from Ethiopia to Eritrea arrived on Wednesday as air links were restored after the end of a 20-year state of war.

Eritrea's information minister tweeted the arrival of the Ethiopian Airlines flight in the capital, Asmara.

Those on board included people seeking to reunite with family long separated by the conflict, as well as former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. They were welcomed by Eritrea's foreign minister.

The dramatic diplomatic thaw began last month when Ethiopia's reformist new prime minister fully embraced a peace deal that ended a 1998-2000 border war.

Breakthroughs swiftly followed, with the leader of each country visiting the other and being welcomed with an embrace.

The international community has praised the end of one of Africa's longest-running conflicts. Telephone lines have been restored and economic links are being pursued as landlocked Ethiopia eyes Eritrea's Red Sea ports.</s>, ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Jul 18 – The first commercial flight to Eritrea in two decades departed Wednesday from Addis Ababa after the two nations ended their bitter conflict following a whirlwind peace process.

Ethiopian Airlines said that flight ET0312 to Asmara had departed Bole International Airport, after a ceremony inaugurating the historic flight.

“This day marks an unique event in the history of Ethiopia and Eritrea,” the airline’s chief executive Tewolde GebreMariam said at the ceremony.

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 GebreMariam.

An AFP journalist onboard the second flight said champagne was served to passengers in all classes, who were also given roses shortly before take-off.

Once a province of Ethiopia, Eritrea seceded in 1993 after a long independence struggle. A row over the demarcation of the shared border triggered a brutal 1998-2000 conflict which left 80,000 people dead before evolving into a bitter cold war.

In a surprise move, Ethiopia’s new reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last month announced he would finally accept a 2002 United Nations-backed border demarcation, paving the way for peace between the two nations.

He then paid a historic visit to Eritrea, during which he and President Isaias Afwerki declared an official end to the war. Afwerki reciprocated with a state visit to Ethiopia just days later.</s>Commercial Plane Flies From Ethiopia To Eritrea For First Time In 20 Years

After two decades of bloody conflict, Ethiopia and Eritrea have been repairing their relationship with remarkable speed following a peace deal reached last week. On Wednesday, a new milestone was marked — the first commercial flight between the neighboring countries in 20 years.

The historic flight included roses and champagne for passengers, Agence France-Presse reports. And demand was so high that Ethiopian Airlines followed the first flight with a second one just 15 minutes later, the news agency says.

The first flight was "greeted by dancers waving flags and flowers," Reuters reports.

Ethiopian Airlines celebrated the achievement in a tweet, adding the hashtag #familyreunion.

The captain, Yosef Hailu, told the BBC he was on "cloud nine."

Like many Ethiopians, he has friends in Eritrea, which seceded from Ethiopia in 1993.

"I'm going back to the place where I grew up," Hailu told the broadcaster. "I'm really happy."

Tens of thousands of people died in the border dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia, which began in 1998. For many years, the two countries in the Horn of Africa have been locked in a cold war that split families and friends apart.

Last week, telephone connections between the two countries were restored for the first time in 20 years.

As NPR's Eyder Peralta reported, people picked up the phone to call friends, family — and even strangers — to celebrate the return of peace:

"It took Selehadin Eshetu three days of dialing random numbers to connect with someone in Eritrea. On Wednesday, as he was getting dressed to go to work in Addis Ababa, someone picked up. "Eshetu said hello; they said hello. The person asked, 'Who is this?' "Eshetu said: "I am Selehadin and I am calling from Ethiopia. And I am calling randomly to say hi and to tell you how happy I am." "Eshetu said he heard the same happiness from the voice at the other end of the line. He told Eshetu this was huge for him and he wanted this relationship to continue. " 'And he said, 'I am going to save your number; I am going to call you regularly. We will be family,' Eshetu said."
International air travel resumes between Eritrea and Ethiopia for the first time since 1998.