Ethiopian Airlines Restarts Flights to Tigray After Brief Suspension
Ethiopian Airlines has resumed scheduled flights to three airports in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, restoring air links that were briefly suspended last week amid rising security concerns. Services restarted on February 3, according to flight tracking and industry data, following several days of disruption as tensions escalated across parts of the region.
ADS-B data shows that at least five Ethiopian Airlines aircraft returned to service between Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and key destinations in Tigray. Two Boeing 737-8 aircraft operated flights to Makale, also known as Mekelle, while turboprop services using De Havilland Canada DHC-8-Q400 aircraft resumed to Indaselassie and Axum. The restoration of flights signals a cautious return to normal operations on these domestic routes after a short interruption.
Specifically, services to Makale were operated by Boeing 737-8 aircraft registered ET-BAK and ET-BBA. Flights to Indaselassie resumed with two Q400 aircraft, while Axum was served by a single Q400 rotation. The mix of narrowbody jets and turboprops reflects Ethiopian Airlines’ typical deployment strategy on domestic routes, balancing capacity and operational flexibility.
Ethiopian Airlines did not issue a formal public statement announcing the resumption of services. However, Reuters cited an airline official as confirming that flights had restarted. The carrier has been contacted for further comment but has not provided additional details on any revised security assessments or contingency planning.
The temporary suspension followed a wave of demonstrations that took place across Tigray between January 25 and 27, particularly in Makale, the region’s largest city. The protests raised concerns about stability and the safety of transport links, prompting the airline to halt operations as a precautionary measure. Air services are a critical lifeline for the region, supporting the movement of people, essential supplies, and humanitarian personnel.
The renewed unrest prompted international attention. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, urged all parties in Tigray to exercise restraint, resolve disputes through dialogue, and fully implement the existing ceasefire agreement. He also called on stakeholders to work closely with the United Nations and regional partners to consolidate peace and prevent further escalation.
Ethiopian Airlines plays a central role in domestic connectivity across Ethiopia, particularly to remote and sensitive regions where alternative transport options are limited. The decision to resume flights to Tigray suggests that the airline considers conditions sufficiently stable to restart operations, while likely continuing to monitor the situation closely.
The restart of services will be closely watched by passengers, humanitarian organisations, and regional authorities, as aviation connectivity remains a key indicator of confidence and stability in the area.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com