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Addis Ababa — Ethiopian Airlines will temporarily suspend passenger flights between Addis Ababa and Atlanta beginning early February 2026, narrowing the carrier’s U.S. network as it reassesses demand on transatlantic routes.
According to schedule data reviewed in mid-January, the airline will operate its final Addis Ababa–Rome–Atlanta service on Feb. 1, with flights ceasing the following day. Ethiopian currently serves Atlanta three times weekly, deploying Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, with westbound services operating via Rome Fiumicino.
The affected rotations are ET518 (Addis Ababa–Rome–Atlanta) and the return ET519. While earlier schedules had shown the route extending into the Northern Hemisphere summer, booking systems continue to display availability for dates from June onward—signaling a temporary suspension rather than a permanent withdrawal.
Atlanta joined Ethiopian’s long-haul network in May 2023, giving the carrier access to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic. The route also strengthened connectivity within the Star Alliance, leveraging Ethiopian’s partnership with United Airlines. Despite the strategic appeal, the service has faced competitive pressure on transatlantic flows and softer-than-expected passenger demand, according to industry data.
Following the Atlanta pause, Ethiopian’s remaining U.S. passenger operations will be concentrated at Washington Dulles International Airport. The airline operates up to 11 weekly flights from Addis Ababa to Washington, routed via Rome and Lomé, using a mix of Airbus A350-900, A350-1000, and Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
The adjustment comes as African and global carriers continue to fine-tune long-haul capacity amid shifting travel patterns, cost pressures, and intensified competition on North Atlantic corridors.
