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Eritrea, described as “the horn’s little pearl,” has a developing aviation infrastructure with several operating airports serving tourists and domestic travellers. Along with the airports in Eritrea, there are many ways to enter the wonderful and unique East African country. The primary gateway for travellers, as the main hub for commercial flights, connecting Eritrea to destinations in the Middle East and Africa and several regional airstrips with limited commercial services. Each one is a gateway to different parts of Eritrea, from the Unesco-listed capital city to untouched Red Sea Islands and lonesome rural cultural experiences.
6 Major Airports In Eritrea
Plan your routes carefully and ensure the operation status of airports in Eritrea with scheduled flights to enjoy a smooth travel experience.
1. Asmara International Airport, ASM/HHAS
Photo: UR-SDV / Wikimedia Commons
Asmara International Airport is Eritrea’s single largest and primary airport, situated approximately 4 km south of the capital city, Asmara. It is the main international airport in Eritrea and links the country to various points in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Its asphalt runway is big enough to accommodate large aircraft. Asmara International Airport is not an international hub by global standards but it is reasonably operational and efficient for anyone visiting Eritrea. Asmara itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site with its own Art Deco buildings, so this airport is a crucial entry point for tourists visiting Eritrea.
Location: Asmara, Eritrea’s capital
Nearby Attractions: Asmara’s Art Deco architecture, National Museum of Eritrea
2. Massawa International Airport, MSW/HHMS
Photo: Konstantin Von Wedelstaedt / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Eritrea Massawa International Airport is situated close to the historic port city of Massawa in Eritrea’s Red Sea coast. Opened in 2010, it is a regional hub for domestic flights and occasional charter services. The airport has a single, concrete runway and can only handle medium-sized planes. There are no passenger conveniences, such as restaurants or lounges and it is an aid to the logistics of glass production. Close to the city of Massawa (10 km at most) in Eritrea, its proximity to coastal tourism is one more reason for the number of tourists looking for astonishing beaches, diving and Ottoman architecture.
Location: Massawa, on the Red Sea coast
Nearby Attractions: Old Town of Massawa, Dahlak Archipelago
3. Assab International Airport, ASA/HHSB
Photo: Kprateek88 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Assab International Airport is in Eritrea’s Southern Red Sea region and is a key gateway to this isolated area. Built during the days of Italian colonial rule in the late 1930s, the airport’s main asphalt runway can accommodate all types of aircraft. Assab is not yet served by regularly scheduled flights but does see sporadic domestic operations to Asmara and Massawa. Although this airport doesn’t have a lot of passenger facilities, basic services are available all the time with simple waiting areas and local travel tips.
Location: Assab, Southern Red Sea region
Nearby Attractions: Assab Port, coastal town of Edd
4. Teseney Airport, TES/HHTS
Photo: Konstantin von Wedelstaedt / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Teseney Airport is located in west Eritrea, south of the city of Teseney, in the Gash-Barka region. Such airports in Eritrea mainly service domestic traffic and mostly charter operations as they are located near agricultural areas. This airport borders Sudan and is composed of an asphalt runway and operates at 635 meters (2,082 feet) above sea level. Teseney Airport has basic but adequate terminal facilities, with a focus on servicing the short-haul domestic travel market, and little in the way of international passengers.
Location: Teseney, western Eritrea
Nearby Attractions: Gash-Barka’s markets and agricultural sites
5. Agordat Airport, HHAG
Photo: Keegan Checks / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Agordat airport serves the town of Agordat in Eritrea’s Gash-Barka region, about 80 km west of Keren. An internal airstrip at a modest elevation of 626 meters (about 2,054 feet), it mostly caters to local flights or private charters, not scheduled commercial airlines. Agordat Airport has limited passenger amenities but crucially links travellers to the area in western Eritrea known for its wealthy culture and historical significance, serving as a trade centre during the colonisation of Eritrea by Italians. The town itself is renowned for its traditional markets and its proximity to archaeological sites that are evidence of Eritrea’s diverse past.
Location: Agordat, Gash-Barka region
Runway: Dirt, 1,180 m (3,871 ft)
Usage: Primarily used for limited or private aviation activities
Nearby Attractions: Historic railway remnants, Italian-era buildings
6. Nakfa Airport, HHNF
Photo: amarandogala / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Nakfa Airport serves the ancient city of Nakfa in northern Eritrea, which was of great significance during Eritrea’s battle for independence from Ethiopia in the late 20th century. The airport sits at an elevation characteristic of Eritrea’s highlands but has few passenger amenities or regular commercial flights. It mainly caters to domestic travel or special charters for visits to Nakfa’s historical sites, including underground bunkers built for the independence war and memorial sites honouring freedom fighters. Access to this isolated region is also enabled by Nakfa Airport, although pre-trip planning is critical as transport is limited once you arrive.
Location: Nakfa, Northern Red Sea region.
Nearby Attractions: Nakfa’s underground bunkers, war memorial sites
Asmara International Airport is the primary hub for Eritrea’s airports, which connect the country to international and domestic destinations. Although Massawa and Assab airports offer alternatives, most regional airstrips are not operational. With the country’s land borders closed, air travel is the surest means for tourists to reach Eritrea. The airports in Eritrea serve as vital links to access its historic cities, scenic coastline and unique sites of cultural interest, forming crucial components of the transport network in the country. Book your trip with TripXL.
Cover Photo: UR-SDV / Wikimedia Commons
