Does anyone know if there is a problem transiting through Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia with firearms. Trying to book with Airline miles. Elk88101 said his biggest problem was in Joberg when he went through.
Thanks

quote:

Elk88101 said his biggest problem was in Joberg when he went through.

That's cuz Larry never does any of the required paperwork...for anywhere! :-)

I've been to Zim four times all through JoBurg.

It's never been much of a hassle at all.

I've always done the paperwork in advance and the Gracy Travel meet and greet and it's been smooth as silk every time.

I guess I don't get the resistance to flying through JoBurg and the additional expense of the SAPS permit is pretty minor.

To each his own I guess.

i am confused. are you flying from Addis to Joburg, then on to Zim- or Addis straight to Zim???

Using miles to upgrade and flying from Zim through Addis back to the US.

I passed by Addis on my way to Zim this Oct. No hazzle other than I had to show my gun license to the packing personal in Addis

+1 on Gracey doing the paperwork up front for Joburg. You get brought through the 'diplomat' passport check which avoided waiting for about 200 people in front of me at the regular site. Accompany you to pick up your guns; things have gone very smoothly. In fact, Joburg has usually been the smoothest part of the trip. Now Bulawayo that's another story; slow, disorganized, and everyone want a 'big tip'.

For some reason, I'm not sure why, possibly the standard AR "that's not what you really want" response profile, but I think Rick asked if anyone knows about the procedures of flying to the US from Zim through Addis, not JoBurg.

I know for a fact that Rick (Pagosawingnut) has done the Zim / JoBerg thing and can handle that one himself. But in the mean time, does anyone know about traveling to Zim, with firearms, through Addis? Personally, I'd like to know as well as I'd like to explore something other than the SAA or Delta routes.

I'm sure his query has something to do with such nuances as the fact that one cannot fly into Zim with firearms, on a single flight ticket, if one transits any of the EU countries. In that case, you would need 1 ticket into JoBerg or perhaps Lusaka, then a separate ticket into Zim.

So how bout it? Any particular issues with Addis for an American transiting to Zim with firearms?

I have not taken the Ethiopian route but I did look into it. I ended up passing as there were a few reports of chaos in changing planes at Addis. It was reported that they were completely unorganized, under staffed, etc. I has been a year since I looked into it so maybe it has improved. I would check with Steve Turner, he should be able to tell you if this is worth considering or not.

I did this ONCE with Delta hooking up with Ethiopian .. Delta refused to check my bags stateside as they do not transfer firearms to any airline other than SAA. That's right, the ONLY airline. When I offered to leave my rifle with Delta at the airport they called the cops. So since then I have NEVER EVER FLOWN DELTA AGAIN.

(And btw when I transferred to Ethiopian sans rifle I asked whether they had a problem with firearms, they said no).

I'd be interested in more info on traveling Ethiopian Airlines through AA to Zim. Why? Been through Jo'burg three times - bored stiff. I'd like a slightly different experience, and length of travel isn't a problem.

I've tried to contact EA on their 800 number in the US, but haven't been able to get through. Yeah, I know, not a good prediction for the airline. However, I hear they have sold all their Boeing 707s and Douglas DC-3s (except the ones built after 1946), so travel ought to be nice and smooth.