Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Ethiopian ADD-LLW-FBM-ADD Triangle Route

I am planning to fly ET's ADD-LLW flight and it appears that both my flights stop by Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (LBM) for like 40 minutes. I am a Malaysian passport holder and I do not need a visa to enter Malawi but I need one to enter DRC.

I am not planning to enter the DRC, but do I need a visa if I am doing the triangle route where I have a stopover in FBM on the way? Will I need to deplane at LBM (I would prefer not to go through immigration at LBM)?

Also, how do intl-intl transfers at ADD work? Do I need a transit visa as well? Thanks!

Best,
nov11

At Lubumbashi you don't even get off the plane.

At Addis, you do get off the plane but are herded through doorways to your connecting flight pretty quickly. They usually even allow connecting passengers to skip security re-screening (in violation of ICAO policy but who's really checking?) and just go upstairs to your departure gate. You won't even see an immigration officer.

No visas required for either transit.

At Lubumbashi you don't even get off the plane.

Cool. Thank you!! I've read trip reports about Lubumbashi and I would rather not get off the plane there. ;)

At Addis, you do get off the plane but are herded through doorways to your connecting flight pretty quickly. They usually even allow connecting passengers to skip security re-screening (in violation of ICAO policy but who's really checking?) and just go upstairs to your departure gate. You won't even see an immigration officer.

Sorry, but this plainly wrong. Security checks are done at the departure gate in ADD, so of course connecting passengers are re-screened. If anything, security in ADD is more tight than at many other African airports.

No visas required for either transit.

That is correct.

Sorry, but this plainly wrong. Security checks are done at the departure gate in ADD, so of course connecting passengers are re-screened. If anything, security in ADD is more tight than at many other African airports.


I have transited Addis twice this month and did not go through transfer security on either occasion. There are rules and there are RULES. This is Africa. :)