Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald).
Ethiopian Airlines Aircraft ET-AUZ Makes Emergency Landing in Mekelle Amid Rising Concerns
Ethiopian Airlines Aircraft ET-AUZ Makes Emergency Landing in Mekelle Amid Renewed Safety Concerns
An Ethiopian Airlines aircraft bearing the registration number ET-AUZ made an emergency landing today at Alula Aba Nega International Airport in Mekelle, following a sudden technical malfunction during its descent. The flight, originating from Addis Ababa, was carrying 49 individuals, including two children and two crew members. All passengers were safely evacuated, and no injuries have been reported.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:52 PM local time, when the aircraft experienced a significant technical issue shortly before landing. Pilots promptly initiated emergency protocols, and the aircraft was successfully brought down under high operational stress. Airport emergency teams responded swiftly, securing the aircraft and providing necessary support to disembarking passengers.
The emergency landing has reignited longstanding concerns among Tigrian, regarding the quality and safety of aircraft frequently assigned to flights servicing Mekelle and surrounding areas. Many passengers and observers allege that older, less comfortable, and poorly maintained aircraft are disproportionately routed to Tigray.
Criticism has intensified in the wake of today’s event, which marks the second such technical emergency involving a Tigray in a short span of time. Sources close to the matter have alleged that airline management and aviation authorities may be deliberately assigning substandard aircraft to the region, raising concerns of systemic negligence and potential institutional bias.
These allegations have not yet been officially addressed by Ethiopian Airlines or the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority. However, calls are mounting for both institutions to launch a transparent investigation into fleet allocation practices and to ensure that all routes, regardless of region, are served with equal safety standards and operational integrity.
Photos and videos from the scene show emergency response units positioned around the aircraft as passengers calmly disembarked.
As public concern deepens, civil society groups and aviation safety advocates are urging greater accountability and oversight to prevent future incidents and restore public confidence in the nation’s air transport system particularly for underserved regions such as Tigray.
