Ethiopian Airlines Abruptly Suspends Flights to Tigray

ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopian Airlines has abruptly cancelled all scheduled flights to Tigray for today, Thursday. This unprecedented move comes at a time when political tension between the Federal Government and Tigrayan leadership has taken a new form, creating significant anxiety among passengers and the public.

Flight Suspension Details As confirmed by the BBC from various sources, the airline cited “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason for the cancellation of 14 flights scheduled today between Addis Ababa and Mekelle, Humera, Shire-Indaselassie, and Axum. Furthermore, airline and airport staff in Mekelle have reportedly been ordered not to report for duty and to remain at home.

Escalation on the Ground: Clashes in Tselemti While no official explanation links the flight ban to security issues, reports indicate the decision follows fresh military clashes in the Tselemti district.

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According to emerging reports:

• Federal Withdrawal: Federal troops stationed in Alamata have reportedly withdrawn to Kobo today.
• Tselemti Front: Fighting continued throughout the day in Tselemti, with reports indicating that Tigray forces have taken control of significant territories in the area.
• Drone Warfare: The Ethiopian Air Force has reportedly conducted repeated drone strikes. Surveillance drones have been spotted hovering as far as the Shire area.
• Reinforcements: The Federal army is reportedly moving additional reinforcements toward the Tselemti front. Additionally, there are reports that small “suicide” (loitering munition) drones are being transported toward Gondar.

Tigray Forces Response Tigray forces are reportedly engaged in heavy mobilization. While the active conflict is currently isolated to the Tselemti area, the movements of Federal troops suggest the conflict could expand to other areas.

Background: From War to the Pretoria Agreement This suspension of air transport comes as the people of Tigray were transitioning from a devastating two-year war (2020-2022) to a period of relative peace. During the war, Tigray was under a severe blockade, and Ethiopian Airlines had suspended flights for an extended period.

Following the Pretoria Peace Agreement signed in South Africa in November 2022 between the Federal Government and the TPLF, basic services—including banking, telecom, and transport—had begun to return to normal, with the resumption of flights offering relief to the public.

Political Context Despite the silence of the guns over the past year, analysts note that critical political issues remain unresolved.

• Internal TPLF Rift: A split within the TPLF—between the faction led by Chairman Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael and the faction led by Late President of the Tigray Interim Administration Getachew Reda —has created new complexities in the region.
• Federal Relations: While Addis Ababa works with the Interim Administration, the TPLF’s struggle for restored legal status and complaints regarding the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement (specifically regarding justice and the return of IDPs) continue to strain relations.

It remains unclear if the flight suspension is a temporary technical measure or a strategic move linked to the escalating situation in Tselemti. However, historical precedents suggest that transport severances often coincide with heightened political and military tension.