According to the Ethiopian organization Human Rights First, Ethiopian Airlines had banned the sale of any tickets for flights in and out of Tigray to any over the age of 15 but under 60. The group's lawsuit also states that Ethiopian Airlines had systematically raised ticket prices to the maximum fare for any flights to and from Tigray and the Ethiopian capital. Hadgu said that "My friend and I had to pay 15,000 birr (about $270) each in bribe to board the Ethiopian Airlines flight." Since the filing of the lawsuit, however, the carrier has lowered ticket prices and removed restrictions. Human First Rights states its actions have been based on internal company memos along with three testimonies, one from a former Ethiopian Airlines employee.

Source: Ethiopian News June 17, 2023 21:02 UTC