Flying Ethiopian Airlines with a Rifle

[mikecatt13]

My experience was the same, had copies ready. Very much a rodeo, but luckily I knew what to expect from the testimonials on here. Was certainly nervous about timing/missing our connection but they kept re-assuring us that we would make it and we did. It's an odd process IMO but the staff was friendly and made sure we made the flight

 

[Mountaineer]

Flying through ADD soon. Anyone been through lately? Are you still led to the dungeon to inspect your guns?

 

[MarkB]

Aug 2021 all was as stated. Taken to basement room for weapon verification. They had it dialed in fairly well, but it was Covid so I was only one with gun luggage. If there were 10 might be different. Someone will provide more recent details I am sure.

MB

 

[CoElkHunter]

Aug 2021 all was as stated. Taken to basement room for weapon verification. They had it dialed in fairly well, but it was Covid so I was only one with gun luggage. If there were 10 might be different. Someone will provide more recent details I am sure.

MB

I'm surprised you made it out of the basement? Maybe because your Canadian? LOL

 

[MarkB]

We were lucky, our Dicktator enacted the no vax no travel rule after we got home. Rule is still in effect, hostage by our PM in our own Country.

MB

 

[BTB Joe]

April 2022. Still the same but no problem really. Just remember to take several copies of all forms including passport, 4457, and the airlines form. They made sure we didn’t miss our connection even with a short layover. They were waiting for us with a sign when we exited the plane. (All went smoothly even though there were quite a few folks traveling with rifles).
Last year they were not waiting for us and we had to ask an agent who called and got another agent to take us through the system (aka basement). No problem then either but I’d advise asking ASAP (as soon as you hit the tarmac)
Good luck. Have fun.

 

[CoElkHunter]

We were lucky, our Dicktator enacted the no vax no travel rule after we got home. Rule is still in effect, hostage by our PM in our own Country.

MB

Wow, you were lucky. You should have bought a Lottery ticket when you got home? LOL

 

[MarkB]

I think I should have stayed in Africa.

MB

 

[Mort Hill]

Only comment I will make is just be sure to seek out a green jacket attendant. Do not wait for them to find you. Do not take “you are fine” as an answer from anyone until you have gone thru the basement process, both coming and going. If you are proactive, you will be assured of managing the process with plenty of time. And just remain calm, regardless of the shit-show the typical chaos presents. They do not want your guns left in the airport any more than you want them left there. Just have your documentation with plenty if copies so you can hand out freely and just enjoy the show. It is fun to watch the hierarchy play out between the various entities in the bowels of the airport. Have a great trip!

 

[Sika98k]

Just went through Addis Ababa en route to Namibia last week. Straight to gate C10, grabbed an attendant at the gate. I was whisked off in my own private bus to the bowels of baggage handling.
2 uniformed of the National Intelligence Center, a slight misnomer, checked serial numbers and counted the Ammo. All good and away

 

[Buck51]

April 2022. Still the same but no problem really. Just remember to take several copies of all forms including passport, 4457, and the airlines form. They made sure we didn’t miss our connection even with a short layover. They were waiting for us with a sign when we exited the plane. (All went smoothly even though there were quite a few folks traveling with rifles).
Last year they were not waiting for us and we had to ask an agent who called and got another agent to take us through the system (aka basement). No problem then either but I’d advise asking ASAP (as soon as you hit the tarmac)
Good luck. Have fun.

August 21. Yes have multiple copies of 4457 and passport. My flight over they were waiting for me when I got off the flight. I had a 45 minute layover. She escorted me to the ground floor and they inspected guns and forms. All went smooth and they made sure I didn’t miss my flight. Probably boarded about 10 minutes late. I was the only one with guns but several others boarded late with me. My return flight was a little different. No one waiting on me as I got off the plane. Had to go to several different counters before I found someone that could help. Language barrier is a problem. It still took quite a long time for them to send someone up to take me down for the gun inspection. I think my layover was a little over 2 hours for this connection and I made it, but no time to spare. My suggestion is find someone quick that speaks a little English and explain your situation if no one is waiting for you after deboarding.

 

[LivingTheDream]

If you can't find someone, go to the business class lounge. They will know who to call.

 

[Mountaineer]

Thanks guys appreciate the advice. This is such a great forum. Huge amounts of real world advice to save your butt!

 

[spanishhunter]

Hello! How are you guys?

First of all, thanks for all the information you share here!

I just have a question for those who have flown before with Ethiopian.
I am Spanish, and I ll be flying with Ethiopian on the next months to Johannesburgo.
Do we need to notify the company that we are flying with our rifle?
I called the Spanish call center but they have no clue as they are not Ethiopian Airlines direct employees. Its just an external company.
They said that there is no need to notify the company about it, but they didnt sound very convinced.
As I dont trust them at all, I would like to ask here for any advise.

Thank you!
Regards

M.C

 

[Roller]

I have flown with them to Africa 4 times with a rifle. Only needed to declare a firearm and fill out some forms at the counter when checking bags. No advance notice required. But if it makes you feel better, do it.

Make sure you bring a couple of photocopies of your passport and national proof of gun "permit " or ownership with you as you will need them when you transit Addis. Be aware that it's a bit of a rodeo in Addis but I have never missed a connecting flight.

 

[spanishhunter]

I have flown with them to Africa 4 times with a rifle. Only needed to declare a firearm and fill out some forms at the counter when checking bags. No advance notice required. But if it makes you feel better, do it.

Make sure you bring a couple of photocopies of your passport and national proof of gun "permit " or ownership with you as you will need them when you transit Addis. Be aware that it's a bit of a rodeo in Addis but I have never missed a connecting flight.

Great to read that!

I was even thinking about no taking the rifle with me.

Can you remember the forms that they need you to show them?

Thanks for the info Roller!

 

[Shakka]

Some of you here are real drama queens and are giving other members the wrong impression. I have flown Ethiopian 5 times already from New York to Zimbabwe and Zambia and I have NEVER had a bad experience. Do your research and have all of your documents ready and you will be finished in 20 minutes.
And where do you guys get the "Dungeon" scenario?? Are you that soft?

 

[Mort Hill]

I think the dungeon reference is really just a descriptive way of stating you head to the bowels of the terminal. Nothing glamorous about it, but certainly not dank and smelly with bodies in chains. However, the few times I was there I was focused on getting my guns checked and back up to daylight, so there could be bodies, not sure. I will say my last flight with Ethiopian to Zim we had 20 minutes between arrival and departure flights. They made sure we made our flight, with guns on board, even holding the plane until we boarded and they closed the doors behind us. I give them A+ for that neat bit of effort.

 

[Scott CWO]

I just did it in November. Yes, just declare at check-in counter. Have extra copies of passport, gun permit and proof of ownership. In Addis just tell the first Ethiopian employee you see after deplaning that you have a connection and firearms. You will be escorted to the baggage center where they will do some paperwork and check serial numbers. Just make sure you have a decent layover.

 

[Shakka]

I think the dungeon reference is really just a descriptive way of stating you head to the bowels of the terminal. Nothing glamorous about it, but certainly not dank and smelly with bodies in chains. However, the few times I was there I was focused on getting my guns checked and back up to daylight, so there could be bodies, not sure. I will say my last flight with Ethiopian to Zim we had 20 minutes between arrival and departure flights. They made sure we made our flight, with guns on board, even holding the plane until we boarded and they closed the doors behind us. I give them A+ for that neat bit of effort.

Mort, it isn't in "The Bowels of the terminal" it's on ground level, is well-lit, staffed with friendly-helpful people, and is easily accessible. I don't know where these descriptions come from