Ethiopian Airlines suspended all scheduled services to Ethiopia’s Tigray region on 23 September, halting flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire after a sudden deterioration in the security situation and reports that Tigrayan forces had taken control of Mekelle airport.
Updated October 3, 2026.
The suspension has become part of a wider escalation
The situation moved beyond the initial airport takeover after September 23. Reuters reported renewed fighting around strategic towns in and near Tigray, while the African Union and other international actors called for de-escalation. For passengers, the operational conclusion remains straightforward: scheduled travel to the three Tigray destinations should not be assumed to have resumed unless Ethiopian Airlines publishes a new notice.
The domestic suspension contrasts with the group’s continued investment elsewhere, including Ethiopian Cargo’s order for 10 Boeing 777 freighters, illustrating how a large network carrier can continue long-term fleet expansion while parts of its domestic network face security restrictions.
What we know
Ethiopian Airlines announced the temporary suspension of services to Mekelle, Axum and Shire from 23 September, citing the current situation in Tigray. The airline did not provide a restart date and said passengers would be informed when operations could resume.
At Mekelle, local and security sources cited by Reuters and AFP said Tigrayan forces had taken control of Alula Aba Nega Airport during the night from federal police. Associated Press reported that all scheduled Ethiopian Airlines flights to Tigray had been cancelled on Wednesday morning.
The available information does not establish that humanitarian or charter flights are also suspended, so the confirmed measure concerns the airline’s scheduled network.
Why it matters
The suspension goes beyond Mekelle. By also halting Axum and Shire, Ethiopian Airlines has for now removed its entire scheduled network from Tigray. The carrier is the only airline operating regular commercial services to the region, sharply reducing fast transport options between northern Ethiopia and Addis Ababa.
The move comes in a highly sensitive context. The conflict between Ethiopia’s federal forces and the TPLF from 2020 to 2022 ended with the Pretoria peace agreement in November 2022, but relations have deteriorated again in recent months amid mutual accusations of violations and renewed armed incidents.
For aviation, the closure of all three routes is therefore a concrete sign that security tensions are once again affecting civilian transport.
What it changes for travellers
Passengers booked to Tigray should not travel to the airport without first checking their reservation with Ethiopian Airlines. Rebooking options and restart dates will depend on the security situation and on the ability of the airports to resume normal operations.
Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest airline group and a major connecting carrier between Africa and Europe, meaning domestic disruption can also affect international itineraries that include a Tigray sector.
What to watch
The main points to follow are any federal government statement on control of Mekelle airport, security developments around Axum and Shire, and the date on which Ethiopian Airlines considers it safe to restore scheduled flights.
Sources
Ethiopian Airlines, statement of 23 September 2026; Reuters; Associated Press; AFP; The Reporter Ethiopia.
