Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald).
Ethiopian Airlines suspends flights to Tel Aviv amid ‘operational considerations’
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier and a major player in the region’s aviation industry, has suspended all flights between Addis Ababa and Tel Aviv until 22 June, citing what it described as “operational considerations.”
The airline made the announcement late Tuesday, saying the decision affects flights in both directions and apologising to affected passengers. No further details were provided, but the lack of clarity has led to speculation that the suspension may be linked to heightened regional tensions or evolving security risks in Israel.
“Ethiopian Airlines would like to inform its esteemed passengers that due to operational considerations, all flights between Addis Ababa (ADD) and Tel Aviv (TLV) in both directions have been suspended until 22 June 2025,” the company said in a statement shared on its social media platforms.
The airline, a member of the Star Alliance, urged travellers to contact its customer service centre or visit the nearest ticket office for rebooking options. “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience,” the statement read.
The temporary suspension comes at a sensitive time for the region. Israel remains on high alert amid continued clashes and tensions across Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank. While Ethiopian Airlines has not directly linked its decision to any geopolitical developments, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport has frequently been impacted by regional unrest.
The flight route between Addis Ababa and Tel Aviv holds significance beyond tourism and business travel. For decades, it has served as a vital bridge for the Ethiopian-Israeli community many of whom travel frequently for family reunifications, religious pilgrimages, or humanitarian work.
Human rights advocates have expressed concern over the timing of the suspension, which may disrupt urgent travel needs, particularly for members of the Beta Israel community and aid workers with missions in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
A history of resilience meets regional realities
Known for its expansive network and operational discipline, Ethiopian Airlines has previously adjusted routes in response to safety concerns, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Tigray civil war. The airline is often lauded for maintaining connectivity even in the most difficult environments but this latest disruption highlights the growing challenges facing African carriers operating near conflict zones.
Aviation analysts say the vague explanation may reflect a reluctance to publicly acknowledge risk factors linked to security.
“This appears to be a calculated pause, likely tied to security or logistics,” said one East African aviation expert, speaking on condition of anonymity. “But by calling it ‘operational,’ the airline preserves room to adjust without making definitive public assessments of Tel Aviv’s safety.”
At the time of writing, Ethiopian’s booking platform shows no availability on the Tel Aviv route until 23 June. Affected passengers have been advised to reroute through alternative hubs such as Cairo, Istanbul or Doha, depending on visa access and ticketing flexibility.
A wider pattern?
The suspension is not the first of its kind. In recent months, several global carriers, including Lufthansa and Emirates, have also scaled back or briefly suspended services to Tel Aviv due to rocket attacks or airport disruptions. However, none have issued permanent closures of the route, signalling that operators are instead adopting a flexible, short-term approach to flight safety.
For now, Ethiopian Airlines has said it will continue to assess the situation and will provide updates “as new information becomes available.”
Affected passengers can reach the airline’s Global Customer Interaction Centre at +251 116 179 900 for further support.
Source፡Ethiopian Air line
