Ethiopian Airlines flight cancellations have sharply disrupted commercial air services to the northern Tigray region of Ethiopia after renewed clashes erupted between federal forces and regional fighters, raising fears of a return to full-scale conflict. According to reporting by Reuters and Associated Press material published in the Washington Post, Ethiopia’s national carrier halted flights to and from Tigray on January 29, 2026, citing “unplanned circumstances” as tensions escalated in contested areas.
The suspension came as residents in Mekelle, the regional capital, rushed to withdraw cash and stock up on essential goods amid widespread anxiety, and diplomatic sources reported renewed military confrontations in western Tigray.
Background: Escalating Conflict and Aviation Impact
Ethiopia’s civil war with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) officially paused with a Pretoria peace agreement in late 2022 after years of heavy fighting and humanitarian crisis.
However, on January 29, 2026, clashes broke out in the western Tigray districts of Tselemti and surrounding areas between federal forces and Tigrayan fighters, prompting the airline to halt all flights on routes including Addis Ababa–Mekelle, Axum, Shire, and Humera.
Ethiopian Airlines issued no detailed public explanation but sent passengers notifications indicating that scheduled services were canceled due to “unplanned circumstances,” leaving travelers stranded and flights grounded for multiple days.
Why Flights Were Suspended
Security concerns are central to the Tigray aviation disruption:
- Clashes and Military Movements: Reuters and regional outlets report that confrontations between federal and regional forces intensified near disputed zones, undermining safe air travel.
- Drone and Surveillance Activity: Separate reports detail alleged drone strikes and increased aerial activity, further escalating risk perceptions for airlines.
- Uncertain Peace Process: Months of simmering political tensions following the Pretoria ceasefire have eroded trust, with both sides blaming each other for renewed hostilities.
Civil aviation authorities and Ethiopian Airlines have not issued a comprehensive public safety notice, but the airline’s text alerts and indefinite suspension signal that authorities are prioritizing security concerns over continued passenger operations.
Operational Impact on Ethiopian Airlines
Route Disruptions
Before the suspensions, Ethiopian Airlines was the sole commercial carrier providing direct flights between Addis Ababa and Tigray’s regional airports. The cancellations have:
- Severed direct air links between Addis Ababa and Mekelle, Axum, Shire, and Humera.
- Stranded passengers and disrupted itineraries without clear resumption dates.
- Forced alternative travel modes, including long overland journeys to and from Tigray’s major towns.
Ethiopian Airlines’ network, one of Africa’s largest and most integrated — was operating more than 170 destinations worldwide, with robust domestic connectivity before the flights halted.
Passenger and Cargo Effects
- Passenger travel: Individuals heading to Tigray for business, family visits, or humanitarian missions must now rebook through alternative transport or remain in Addis Ababa.
- Cargo services: Grounded flights also impact regional cargo movement, contributing to supply chain stress for food, medical supplies, and commercial goods.
Regional and Security Context
The rise in hostilities in late January 2026 does not occur in isolation. The longstanding tensions between the Ethiopian federal government and TPLF have included:
- Territorial disputes over western Tigray.
- Political disagreements following the suspension of TPLF election participation, which undermined the Pretoria peace framework.
- Reports of civilian movement and bank liquidity issues as anxiety over renewed war spread.
Drone engagements reported in late January, described by local sources as hitting civilian cargo vehicles, indicate a potential escalation beyond sporadic clashes.
Safety and Travel Advisory Landscape
In response to the instability:
- Some governments have updated travel advisories, urging citizens to reconsider travel to Tigray due to security threats and suspended air services.
- Airlines and international operators are monitoring conditions for safe resumption of flights.
The suspension of Ethiopian Airlines services reflects a broader risk environment where commercial aviation must balance passenger access with operational safety in conflict-affected regions.
What’s Next for Aviation and the Region
Short-Term Outlook
- Resumption Conditions: Flights may resume only after clear de-escalation, confirmed safety assessments by Ethiopian civil aviation authorities, and secured airspace.
- Diplomatic Engagements: Regional and international mediators could play roles in reducing tensions and providing frameworks for safe travel corridors.
Long-Term Impact
- Economic Recovery: Tigray’s fragile economy and connectivity depend on air links; prolonged suspension will hamper recovery, tourism, and trade.
Airline Strategy: Ethiopian Airlines may adjust domestic scheduling and fleet deployment depending on how soon normal operations can return.
Update: Ethiopian Airlines Resumes Tigray Flights After Brief Suspension
As of February 3, 2026, Ethiopian Airlines has resumed scheduled services to the northern Tigray region following a brief suspension that began in late January amid rising security concerns. According to a Reuters report, an airline official confirmed that flights to destinations in Tigray, including Mekele, Indaselassie and Axum, restarted this week after a short pause triggered by renewed clashes between federal and regional forces in western Tigray.
At least five aircraft movements were recorded on February 3 on routes between Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and Tigray airports, including Boeing 737-8 and De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400 operations.
This resumption follows the earlier cancellation of all flights to Tigray at the end of January, when Ethiopian Airlines notified passengers via booking systems that flights were canceled due to “unplanned circumstances” tied to security risks. Ground sources reported cancellations across Mekele, Shire and Axum airports, and passengers faced uncertainty as the airline did not issue a formal public notice at the time.The restoration of services is significant for domestic connectivity and mobility within Ethiopia’s civil aviation network. Tigray flights are a key part of Ethiopian Airlines’ domestic schedule, serving both passenger travel and intra-country logistical needs. The recommencement suggests that airline and national aviation safety authorities assessed conditions and deemed them acceptable for commercial operations, even as the broader security situation remains fluid.
Sources
- The Washington Post (Associated Press): Ethiopian Airlines Cancels Flights to Tigray After Fighting Erupts
- Reuters: Ethiopian Airlines Cancels Flights to Tigray Region After Clashes
- BBC News: Flights to Northern Ethiopia Cancelled as Fears Mount of Renewed Conflict
- AllAfrica: Tigray Residents Rush for Cash as Flights Halted and Fighting Resumes.
