Ethiopian Airlines has announced plans to resume flights to Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, on October 11, following the recapture of the city by federal forces on Sunday.
The flights were suspended for three weeks due to the security situation in the region.
In a statement, the national carrier said passengers could begin booking tickets from October 9, ahead of the planned resumption of services.
The airline had suspended flights to Mekelle, Shire and Axum on September 23, citing the “current situation” in Tigray without providing further details.
Commercial flights to Shire and Axum remain suspended.
Flights to the three cities were halted following reports that Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces had taken control of the airports.
The loss of Mekelle was a major setback for the opposition alliance it leads.
The alliance launched a major offensive against the Ethiopian army on September 23 in what was the worst escalation of fighting since the 2020 to 2022 civil war.
TPLF forces have retreated from the city over the past week, but security in the region remains volatile.
The restoration of flights to Mekelle will re-establish a key transport link between Tigray and the federal capital, Addis Ababa.
African News
