ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopian authorities have detained several foreign pilots who were flying vintage aircraft in a trans-Africa air rally, the United States Embassy said Thursday. Embassy officials are working with Ethiopian authorities to secure consular access to see the American pilots, the embassy said in a statement. The Vintage Air Rally billed itself as a “flying rally across Africa, from Crete to Cape Town,” for planes built in the early 20th century. Wossenyelah Hunegnawm, the head of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, said the pilots entered Ethiopian airspace illegally Tuesday and are under investigation. The Guardian reported that two helicopters and six modern aircraft, carrying spare parts and equipment, are accompanying the vintage planes.

Source: Ethiopian News November 24, 2016 17:52 UTC