Ethiopian Airlines Fined $425,000 for Non-compliance


Ethiopian Airlines Fined $425,000 for Non-compliance

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has imposed significant fines on Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways, totaling 425,000 dollars and 400,000 dollars, respectively. Ethiopian Airlines operated flights under United Airlines' code, while Etihad Airways used JetBlue's code in regions where U.S. flights were prohibited. An investigation by the Department's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) uncovered that from February 2020 to December 2022, Ethiopian Airlines conducted numerous flights between Ethiopia and Djibouti using United Airlines' code in airspace restricted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for United States operators. Notably, one of these flights took place after the OACP had already issued a warning letter to Ethiopian Airlines about the violation. By engaging in these flights, Ethiopian Airlines violated operational regulations and lacked the necessary authorization from the DOT. In a separate investigation, the OACP discovered that from August to September 2022, Etihad Airways operated multiple flights under JetBlue Airways' code between the United Arab Emirates and the United States in areas where the FAA had prohibited United States flights. Despite being alerted by the OACP about these violations in September and November 2022, Etihad Airways continued to fly several additional routes with JetBlue's code from January to April 2023 in the same restricted zones. By operating these flights in this manner, Etihad Airways violated the conditions of its authority to operate and engaged in air transportation without the proper DOT authority.


Radar

Ethiopia Revives WTO Ambitions After Five-Year Stall

Ethiopia's trade delegation led by Kassahun Gofe (PhD), a chief negotiator in the WTO accession talks, is reviving a long-stalled effort to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), signalling renewed ambition following a five-year hiatus. He travelled last week to Geneva, Switzerland, where the WTO is headquartered, to conclude negotiations for membership by March next year. If successful, Ethiopia's accession to the world's trade body will be timed, with the 14th ministerial conference set t...


Radar

First Digital Insurance, Loan Services Launched

A new digital insurance and loan service platform christened 'Agar' - translated as a partner - has debuted in the market, marking a notable entry into the financial sector. The initiative, a collaboration among Global Bank Ethiopia, Lucy Insurance, and Kacha Digital Financial Services, pledged to transform access to insurance and credit for various user groups, including insurance policy buyers, taxi drivers, and salaried employees. For Abraham Tilahun, CEO of Kacha Digital Financial Service...


Radar

City Forms Task Force to Regulate Informal Street Vendors

A new task force under the city administration will enforce new regulations designed to restore order on the streets of Addis Abeba and address concerns over cleanliness and public safety. The task force has been established to enforce regulations imposed on informal street vendors. The city's Trade Bureau launched the initiative to address the increasing informal trading, which city officials say has been "disruptive to the established trade system." The task force is headed by Deputy Mayor...