Flight Cancellations in Ethiopia Signal Growing Tensions Amid Conflict Fears

Sat Jan 31 2026 19:09:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ethiopian Airlines cancels flights to northern Tigray as concerns of renewed armed conflict rise following clashes in the region.

Amid fears of renewed conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region, Ethiopian Airlines has cancelled flights from Addis Ababa to Tigray cities, citing 'unplanned circumstances'. Reports indicate clashes between the federal army and Tigray fighters, raising concerns among residents and officials about the potential backslide into violence following a fragile peace agreement.

Flight cancellations from Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, to cities in the northern Tigray region have stirred concerns of a return to armed conflict. The cancellations, confirmed by Ethiopian Airlines through text messages to passengers, come amidst reports of clashes in a contested area.

The airline has referred to the cancellations as due to 'unplanned circumstances', but there has been no further clarification from either the airline or government officials regarding the situation. A local BBC reporter confirmed the cancellations, stating that airport staff had been instructed not to report to work.

Since a peace deal was reached in 2022 to end a brutal civil war, tensions have been building over disputed territories as the country approaches national elections scheduled for June.

Recent clashes have been reported between federal forces and Tigray fighters in Mai Degusha, an area in the Tselemti district that has been a long-standing point of contention. During the previous conflict, parts of western Tigray were occupied by neighboring Amhara region forces, adding layers of complexity to the territorial disputes.

While the Ethiopian government has stated they will address the situation through a referendum, significant numbers of displaced individuals from the area remain in dire conditions, making the feasibility of such a vote uncertain.

Reports also highlight military movements in southern Tigray, further fuelling fears of renewed conflict. The African Union, which mediated the truce between the government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) under the Pretoria Agreement, had hoped for a long-lasting peace; however, recent escalations indicate challenges ahead.

Ethiopian Airlines has not released an official statement on the decision to suspend flights, but services like intercity buses remain operational though may see disruptions following these flight cancellations.

The deteriorating relationship between the TPLF and the government, alongside recent military movements and unresolved disputes over territory, raises significant concerns about the stability of the region moving forward.