Flights to Mekelle Resume After Ethiopian Forces Recapture Tigray Capital

Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to Mekelle on Sunday, restoring a critical air link to the Tigray regional capital for the first time in nearly three weeks after government-allied forces recaptured the city from opposition fighters.

The national carrier announced Friday that regular service between Addis Ababa and Mekelle would restart October 11, with ticket sales opening the same day. Flights to Axum and Shire remain suspended as military operations continue in those areas.

Why the Flights Stopped

Ethiopian Airlines halted all flights to Tigray on September 23 after forces loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) seized airports in Mekelle, Axum, and Shire and detained federal personnel. The suspension severed a vital connection for a region still recovering from the 2020-2022 war that killed an estimated 500,000 civilians.

Government-allied units, including federal troops and the "Tigray Peace Forces" militia, entered Mekelle on October 3 after TPLF fighters withdrew. Forces then reestablished control over Alula Aba Nega International Airport, clearing the way for commercial service to resume.

For Tigray residents, the restored flights represent more than convenience. Passengers arriving on the first flight described the service as a lifeline for families separated by the conflict, businesses cut off from supply chains, and patients needing medical care unavailable in the region.

One passenger told the Ethiopian News Agency he had been stranded in Addis Ababa for weeks, unable to return to his job in Mekelle. Others said access to medicines and trade goods had been severely disrupted during the suspension.

Official Promises and Regional Tensions

Getachew Reda, a former Tigray leader now advising Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, appeared at Mekelle airport Sunday and promised a "visible change, a change beyond mere hope" in the region. He did not elaborate on specific plans.

The flight resumption comes amid deepening regional tensions. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of sending troops across the border into Tigray, calling it a "blatant act of aggression" in a letter to the UN Security Council. Eritrea denied the allegations and accused Ethiopia of preparing for war.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern over the renewed fighting and called on all parties to cease hostilities and return to dialogue under the 2022 Pretoria Agreement.

The 2022 Pretoria Agreement ended the civil war but its implementation has faltered. The TPLF joined six other opposition groups last month in an alliance seeking to remove Abiy from power.

While Mekelle's airport is operational, Axum and Shire remain cut off. Reports indicate ongoing military confrontations around both cities, with no timeline announced for restoring service.

For now, Mekelle's reconnection offers a measure of relief to a region that has endured years of isolation. Whether it signals a broader return to stability or merely a temporary pause in an escalating conflict remains uncertain.