ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopian Airlines has canceled all scheduled flights between Addis Ababa and multiple cities in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, disrupting passenger travel and raising questions amid the absence of an official explanation from the airline or government authorities.

Passengers scheduled to travel on Thursday, January 21, 2018 (Ethiopian Calendar), reported receiving short text messages notifying them that their flights had been canceled. The messages cited “unplanned reasons” for the cancellations and advised travelers to contact Ethiopian Airlines or their respective travel agents for further assistance.

The cancellations affected both outbound flights from Addis Ababa to Tigray and inbound flights from the region to the capital, including services to Mekelle and other regional airports.

Despite repeated requests, Ethiopian Airlines has not issued a formal public statement detailing the reasons behind the decision. However, an airline official, speaking to the BBC on condition of anonymity, confirmed that flights to Tigray had been suspended for the day.

“Flights have been canceled for today [Thursday] only,” the official said. “Whether flights resume in the coming days will depend on the situation.”

The official declined to elaborate on the nature of the situation or the operational considerations that led to the cancellations.

Regional Officials Confirm Disruptions

Tadele Mengistu, a regional transport official, confirmed that flights had indeed been canceled but told the BBC that he had not been provided with detailed information explaining the move.

At Mekelle’s Alula Abanega Airport, a BBC Tigrinya correspondent reported an absence of regular passenger activity. The airport appeared largely inactive, with only security personnel present on the premises.

The correspondent also confirmed with Ethiopian Airlines’ ticket office in Mekelle that flights to and from the region had been suspended for the day. Airline employees in the city were reportedly instructed not to report to work.

No Government Response

As of publication, neither the Tigray Regional State Interim Administration nor the federal government had issued a statement addressing the flight suspensions. The lack of official communication has left passengers uncertain about travel plans in the days ahead, particularly those relying on air transport for medical, commercial, or family-related travel.

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier and a critical link between Ethiopia’s regions, has historically played a key role in maintaining connectivity during periods of disruption. The sudden suspension of flights—without a detailed explanation—has therefore drawn public attention and concern.

Passengers have been advised to monitor official airline channels for updates as the situation develops.

Source- BBC