Nigeria cautions against travel via Ethiopia’s main airport due to altitude

The Nigerian government has issued a warning to its citizens, particularly those with medical conditions, regarding travel via Ethiopia's main airport, Addis Ababa. The foreign ministry in Abuja reported that 16 Nigerians with pre-existing health issues have died while transiting through the city this year. Addis Ababa, home to Bole International Airport, is situated at a high altitude of 2,334 meters (7,657 feet) above sea level, which is among the highest capitals in the world.

Bole International Airport is a major transit hub for travel between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, accommodating millions of passengers annually. The Nigerian foreign ministry specified that individuals with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions are at an elevated risk due to the altitude. The ministry refrained from providing the identities of the deceased travelers or the exact cause of their deaths.

The Nigerian foreign ministry advised those with health conditions that could be exacerbated by high altitudes to exercise caution and seek appropriate medical guidance before planning a journey through Addis Ababa. The ministry emphasized that their intention was not to discourage Nigerians from traveling to the Ethiopian capital.

They noted that visiting an area at a high altitude can pose risks for individuals with heart and lung diseases, as the air is thinner, leading to a reduced oxygen supply to the bloodstream. This can cause the heart to work harder to supply sufficient oxygen, potentially resulting in heart failure among those with existing conditions, according to the American Heart Association.

The reduced oxygen levels at high altitudes can cause various adverse effects, such as dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath, which could pose complications for individuals with lung diseases, as studies have shown.