Ethiopian Airlines will resume flights to Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, on Sunday, October 11, following the reported restoration of federal control over the city.
The national carrier announced that passengers could begin booking tickets on October 9, ahead of the planned resumption of services suspended for three weeks over security concerns.
The airline halted flights to Mekelle, Shire and Axum on September 23, citing the prevailing situation in Tigray without providing further details.
However, commercial flights to Shire and Axum remain suspended, with the airline yet to announce when services to the two cities will resume.
The suspension followed reports that forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) had taken control of airports in the region.
The reported loss of Mekelle represented a significant setback for the opposition alliance led by the TPLF.
The group launched a major offensive against the Ethiopian army on September 23, triggering the most serious escalation in fighting since the 2020–2022 civil war.
TPLF forces have reportedly withdrawn from Mekelle over the past week, although the security situation across the region remains volatile.
The resumption of flights is expected to restore a key transport connection between Tigray and Ethiopia’s federal capital, Addis Ababa, easing air travel for passengers travelling to and from the region.
However, the continued suspension of services to Shire and Axum underscores the ongoing security challenges affecting commercial aviation in parts of Tigray.
