How to Book Travel on Eritrean Airlines

Eritrea is a country in the horn of Africa that gained independence from Ethiopia in 1991. The country is divided into nine regions, two of which are serviced by Eritrean Airlines.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with internet access
• Visa
• Valid passport

Instructions

Book Travel on Eritrean Airlines

1. Log on to the Eritrean Airlines Web site (see Resources below) to make your booking online. Bookings are made via an online request form and confirmed via email. Here, you can also find a list of travel agents that book flights on Eritrean Airlines. You will find agents located in Texas and Virginia in the United States and in countries throughout Europe.

2. Eritrean Airlines offers service between Asmara and Assab. You can also book travel from Rome and Frankfurt.

3. Look up contact information for Eritrean consulates in the United States, located in Arlington, VA and Oakland, CA.

4. Call to confirm your flight time on Eritrean Airlines before you leave for the airport. The flight schedule sees frequent changes, particularly when departing from Asmara.

Know Your Destination

1. You will find many different climates within the country of Eritrea. If you travel to Asmara, you can expect cooler and wetter weather than elsewhere in the country.

2. Be aware of the propensity towards altitude sickness for most visitors to Asmara. The city is located 8,000 feet above sea level, which is difficult for those not acclimated to this altitude.

3. Use caution when eating and drinking in Eritrea. Choose bottled water whenever possible and confirm that the tamper-proof seal is in place before consuming. Food and water-borne illness are common in this country.

4. An ongoing border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea has caused the UN to maintain a Temporary Security Zone along the border until terms for demarcation can be agreed upon between the two nations.

5. Travel outside the capital city of Asmara is strictly regulated. You will need a permit to travel outside the city's borders.

Tips & Warnings

• Eritrean Airlines currently offers no English-language booking telephone number on its Web site.

• Getting a visa for travel to Eritrea can be difficult. Apply for yours before you begin making travel arrangements.

• The United States government issued a travel warning requesting that U.S. citizens curtail non-essential travel to Eritrea due to increased restrictions on travel outside of the Eritrean capital city of Asmara. Check with the Eritrean consulate before making travel plans for current regulations and restrictions.