Domestic flights to Tigray’s regional capital will resume on October 11 following a temporary suspension
By Borkena Desk
TORONTO, Canada — Ethiopian Airlines announced on Friday that domestic flights to Mekelle, the seat of the Tigray regional state, will resume this Sunday.
In an Amharic post shared on its official Facebook page, the airline stated:
“Ethiopian Airlines is pleased to announce that its regular flights to Mekelle, which had been temporarily suspended, will resume effective October 11, 2026.
Dear valued customers, you can make your travel reservations by visiting your nearest Ethiopian Airlines office or by calling our call center at 6787.”
Flights to Mekelle were suspended on September 23 after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) took control of three airports in the region, arresting Federal Police personnel and Ethiopian Airlines staff.
The development triggered a military response from the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF). Although the ENDF has not released an official update regarding its operations against TPLF forces in Tigray, local and international media report that federal troops have regained control of several towns, including Mekelle.
Ethiopian Airlines’ announcement regarding the resumption of flights appears to confirm that the city is back under federal control.
The airline did not specify whether flights to Shire and Aksum will also resume. Reports of active conflict between federal forces and TPLF fighters persist in parts of the region. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa issued a security alert this week advising U.S. citizens to avoid travel to the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions, and urging those currently in those areas to depart if safe to do so.
Additionally, the Ethiopian government claims that Eritrean troops have entered the Tigray region. On Thursday, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs appealed to the UN Security Council requesting the withdrawal of Eritrean forces while asserting Ethiopia’s right to self-defense. Eritrea denied the allegation, maintaining that Ethiopia’s claim is a pretext to invade Eritrean territory.
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This is good news for the residents of Mekele. The decision by the best airline in Africa shows the situation is peaceful and stable in Mekele and its surrounding areas. But this resumption of flights comes on the heels of confirmed incursion of Eritrean troops well into the Ethiopian territory and being cited being seen just a stone throw away from Mekele. How can this happen? That is why I don’t take news coming out of the country for granted unless they are verified by the editors of this respected website. One day it is reported that the ENDF and its ally, the TPF, have taken over the town of Wukro and then the next day or week we are told Eritrean troops are spotted in the area which is not too far from Mekele. But I take this resumption flights as encouraging news because aid relief can be airlifted to the region. It is reported that millions in that region are on the brink of facing deadly famine.