Ethiopian Airlines yesterday clarified the seizure of foreign currencies by the Ethiopian Customs and Revenue Authority personnel at Addis Ababa International Airport. The airline, in a statement ,said areport that it was seizing foreign currencies in excess of $3000 from all passengers was incorrect.

The General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, Firihiewot Mekonnen, said any passenger transiting Addis Ababa without leaving the airport is free to board his/her next flight carrying whatever amount of foreign currencies from the previous flight.

The statement said: “However, if passengers enter Ethiopia carrying money in excess of $3000 (three thousand US Dollars), they are required to declare the money they carry to ECRA personnel as they exit the airport and take declaration form for smooth check-in for their next flight.

“While this procedure is not unique to Ethiopia and is practiced by many countries, we inform our passengers by making repeated announcements on all flights and the Customs authority also displays the procedures on notice boards at Addis Ababa International Airport. “In fact, travelling to Ethiopian has been made easier, more convenient and simple with Visa on arrival and electronic visa”.