Ethiopian Airlines Halts Tigray Flights Amid Renewed Conflict

Ethiopian Airlines has suspended all flights between Addis Ababa and Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, citing rising security concerns following reports of renewed clashes that have stoked fears the fragile 2022 peace agreement could be breaking down. The suspension took effect on January 29, according to reports by Reuters and the BBC.

A spokesperson for Ethiopian Airlines confirmed to Reuters that all flights to the region had been cancelled but did not provide a specific reason for the decision. The airline has not yet issued a formal public statement explaining the suspension. However, the BBC reported that Tigray’s regional transport chief confirmed the halt in air services, underscoring the seriousness of the security situation.

According to ch-aviation capacity data, Ethiopian Airlines operates flights to three airports in the Tigray region: Mekelle (also known as Makale), Indaselassie, and Axum. Prior to the suspension, the carrier operated up to 51 weekly flights to Mekelle and 14 weekly services each to Indaselassie and Axum. Ethiopian Airlines is currently the only airline providing scheduled commercial flights to all three destinations, making the suspension particularly significant for regional connectivity.

Diplomatic and government sources told Reuters that fighting has erupted in disputed western parts of Tigray, an area that has remained a flashpoint even after the formal end of the civil war. Tensions between federal government forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front have reportedly escalated in recent weeks, contributing to instability across the region.

Relations between Addis Ababa and the TPLF have deteriorated in recent months. Ethiopia’s electoral authorities recently revoked the TPLF’s legal status, effectively barring the group from participating in national elections scheduled for June. At the same time, internal divisions within the TPLF have further complicated the political landscape, raising concerns about governance and security in Tigray.

An African Union-brokered peace agreement reached in late 2022 brought an end to a devastating two-year conflict that killed an estimated 600,000 people, according to an envoy from the African Union. The deal had raised hopes of long-term stability and the gradual restoration of transport links and economic activity. However, the latest reports of fighting and the suspension of commercial flights have heightened concerns that the peace process is under strain.

For now, Ethiopian Airlines’ decision highlights the sensitivity of aviation operations in conflict-affected regions, where security considerations can quickly disrupt essential air links for civilians, aid agencies, and businesses alike.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com