Foreign pilots flying vintage aircraft 12,000 km across Africa detained in Ethiopia

Ethiopian authorities have detained several foreign pilots who were flying vintage aircraft in a trans-Africa air rally, the United States Embassy said Thursday.

Embassy officials are working with Ethiopian authorities to secure consular access to see the American pilots, the embassy said in a statement.

The Vintage Air Rally billed itself as a “flying rally across Africa, from Crete to Cape Town,” for planes built in the early 20th century.

Wossenyelah Hunegnawm, the head of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, said the pilots entered Ethiopian airspace illegally Tuesday and are under investigation.

“This group entered into Ethiopia without getting permission to access our airspace,” he said.

He said the pilots are in Gambella town in Western Ethiopia, where they landed their aircraft during their journey as part of the air event.

One of the pilots in detention is 71-year-old British pilot Maurice Kirk, who had earlier been reported missing along with his 1943 Piper Cub plane. According to The Guardian newspaper about 40 participants are being held.

The Vintage Air Rally said in a statement on its Facebook page Wednesday night: “The Ethiopian authorities have elected to allocate accommodation at the airport rather than permit them to proceed to their pre-booked hotel. The reasons for this, at this time, are not 100% clear.

“There is no possibility to communicate with them but all participants, including Maurice Kirk, are safe and accounted for. The U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office is aware, is talking with other embassies, and is negotiating on their behalf. We have no further information because of the lack of communications. More information to follow when available.”

The rally aims to recreate the 1931 Imperial Airways “Africa Route,” and involves teams from around the world. They are attempting to cross 10 countries in 37 stops and 35 days, a distance of 12,000 kilometres. Their route includes Cairo, Mount Kilimanjaro and the island of Zanzibar. They are to arrive at their final stop, Cape Town, South Africa, on Dec. 17.

The Guardian reported that two helicopters and six modern aircraft, carrying spare parts and equipment, are accompanying the vintage planes.