October 3, 2026 — Update to our October 2 story. Ethiopian government forces have retaken the airport in Mekelle, the Tigray capital, Reuters reported on Saturday, citing residents and humanitarian observers. Rebels had held it since September 23. Neither side had commented, and the report could not be independently verified.
What changed
- Mekelle: residents described Tigrayan fighters and leaders leaving the city, and looting of government buildings. Communications blackouts are reported.
- Flights to Tigray: no source we read says civilian flights have resumed. Ethiopian Airlines suspended Mekelle, Axum and Shire on September 23.
- Airspace: a UK notice to airlines issued October 2, valid to December 21, warns of a hazardous situation over Tigray, Afar and Amhara because of military activity, according to Safe Airspace.
- Addis Ababa: we found no report of new explosions or of any disruption at Bole airport on October 2–3.
- Fighting: continues in Tigray, Amhara and Afar. Al Jazeera reports at least 52 civilians killed in the north.
Government advisories
- United States: Level 3 (reconsider travel), dated August 27. No change, and no ordered departure.
- Canada: avoid non-essential travel to Ethiopia, and avoid all travel to Tigray, Amhara and border zones.
- United Kingdom: updated October 1 with information on attacks on military installations and large gatherings.
- We could not open the US Embassy’s alerts page, so we cannot say whether it issued a new alert.
What it means for airline travelers
- Connecting at Addis Ababa: Bole was operating at last report. Keep connections long and stay airside if you can.
- Northern Ethiopia: do not plan travel to Tigray, Amhara or Afar. Lalibela, Gondar and the Danakil fall inside the warned regions.
- Standby risk: if Bole is disrupted, thousands of connecting passengers compete for seats. Have a confirmed way out.
- Enroll in STEP (US) or Registration of Canadians Abroad.
Sources
- Al Jazeera — Ethiopia’s government forces retake airport from Tigray rebels in Mekelle
- Reuters via ThePrint — Ethiopia government forces retake airport in Tigray’s capital, sources say
- Al Jazeera — Ethiopian gov’t forces advance in Tigray as rebels retreat: What to know
- Safe Airspace — Ethiopia
- U.S. Department of State — Ethiopia Travel Advisory
- Government of Canada — Travel advice and advisories for Ethiopia
- GOV.UK — Ethiopia travel advice
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