Full Breakdown
Ethiopian Airlines Halts Flights After Tigrayan Forces Seize Mekelle Airport
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Flight Suspension Amid Airport Takeover
On September 23, 2026, Ethiopian Airlines announced the temporary suspension of all scheduled flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire, the three principal airports in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region. The suspension followed reports that Tigrayan forces aligned with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) seized Alula Aba Nega Airport in Mekelle from federal police overnight.
Background & Context
The TPLF governed Ethiopia from 1991 until 2018, when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party took power, sparking a civil war that ended with the Pretoria Peace Agreement in November 2022. The conflict left roughly 600,000 dead and about 1 million displaced. In late 2025 low-level clashes resumed, and on September 20, 2026 the TPLF announced a coalition—named the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival—comprising six other armed groups, including the Amhara Fano National Movement and the Oromo Liberation Army, with the stated goal of overthrowing the federal government.
Timeline
- September 20, 2026 – TPLF declares formation of a seven-group alliance aimed at removing the federal government.
- September 22, 2026 (overnight) – Tigrayan forces take control of Mekelle’s Alula Aba Nega Airport from federal police.
- September 23, 2026 – Ethiopian Airlines suspends flights to Mekelle, Axum and Shire; Tigray regional authorities announce a “defensive war” against what they describe as a federal “genocidal invasion.”
- February 3, 2026 – Flights to the three airports had resumed after a brief suspension following clashes in late January.
Data & Statistics
- The suspension affects the only scheduled carrier serving Tigray; chartered flights remain possible but are not quantified.
- Approximately 1 million people remain displaced in Tigray.
- Drone strikes reported in September 2026 targeted multiple locations, including a humanitarian convoy carrying over 41 tons of food aid on September 20.
Official Statements & Responses
- TPLF-aligned Tigray regional administration – Declared a “defensive war” in response to an “autocratic and genocidal” campaign by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s regime.
- Federal government – No immediate comment was provided by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s spokesperson regarding the airport seizure or the airline’s suspension.
- International actors – The United States condemned a separate drone strike on a humanitarian convoy on September 20 but did not assign blame for the broader escalation.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local airport staff said drivers were turned away after a supervisor informed them that Tigrayan forces had taken control of the facility and that no flights would land. A taxi driver in Addis Ababa reported that lightly armed TPLF soldiers ordered him to leave the airport premises, noting the takeover appeared peaceful with no gunfire heard.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The exact status of the federal police stationed at Mekelle airport remains unclear; sources describe a “small number” of guards whose situation is unknown.
- While several outlets confirm the airport seizure, details about any casualties or injuries during the takeover are absent.
- The duration of the flight suspension is unspecified, and it is not confirmed whether humanitarian or charter flights have been affected.
What’s Next
Ethiopian Airlines has not announced a timetable for resuming services, stating only that the measure is temporary. No further official plans for diplomatic mediation or security guarantees have been disclosed. The evolving military situation—including clashes in the neighboring Afar region and ongoing drone strikes—suggests the suspension could remain in effect until a stable security environment is re-established.