The national carrier halted services to Tigray’s three main airports after reports that Tigrayan forces took control of Mekelle airport amid renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia.

ADDIS ABABA — September 23, 2026

Ethiopian Airlines has temporarily suspended scheduled flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire, citing the security situation in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the airline said services to the three destinations had been suspended because of the “current situation in the Tigray region.” It apologized to passengers affected by the disruption and said customers would be informed once flight operations resume.

The move follows reports from AFP, Reuters and other international media that Tigrayan forces took control of Alula Aba Nega International Airport in Mekelle overnight. Air-traffic tracking also showed the Addis Ababa–Mekelle service cancelled on Wednesday morning.

Mekelle Airport Reportedly Taken Over Overnight

Local sources cited by international news agencies said Tigrayan forces entered Mekelle airport, which had been under federal control. An airport employee quoted by AFP said staff were told to return home after being informed that the facility had been taken over.

Deutsche Welle separately reported that local witnesses said TPLF forces armed with light weapons took control of Mekelle airport without a fight. DW also reported clashes involving government forces in neighbouring Afar and Amhara.

Accounts from the federal side and Tigrayan authorities differ over responsibility for the renewed fighting. The Tigray regional authorities described their military actions as defensive, while federal officials accused TPLF-linked forces of launching attacks.

Suspension Follows New Anti-Government Alliance

The escalation comes days after the Tigray People’s Liberation Front announced an alliance with six other armed groups opposed to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.

The formation of the coalition has added to concerns that the fragile security situation in northern Ethiopia could widen beyond Tigray. Fighting has also been reported in areas bordering Afar and Amhara.

Pretoria Peace Agreement Under Renewed Pressure

The latest developments represent another test for the Pretoria Peace Agreement, signed in November 2022 to end the two-year war between the federal government and the TPLF.

The African Union has estimated that about 600,000 people were killed during the 2020–2022 conflict, while more than one million people remain displaced. Several elements of the peace agreement have remained unresolved, contributing to continuing political and security tensions.

An uneasy calm that followed the agreement has weakened over time, with renewed clashes, accusations and military activity raising fears of a broader return to conflict.

Flight Suspension Could Disrupt Travel and Humanitarian Access

The suspension of flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire has immediate implications for passenger movement between Tigray and the rest of Ethiopia. Air travel is especially important because of the long overland distance between Addis Ababa and northern Tigray.

If the suspension continues, it could also complicate business travel, humanitarian access and the movement of people requiring urgent services outside the region.

Ethiopian Airlines has not announced a date for flights to resume. For now, the carrier says the suspension is temporary and that passengers will be notified when operations restart.

How quickly commercial aviation returns to Tigray may provide an early indication of whether the latest confrontation remains contained or develops into a more prolonged security crisis.

Source note: Based on reporting published September 23, 2026 by Al Jazeera, AFP, Reuters and Deutsche Welle. Claims about battlefield control are attributed because independent verification remains limited.