Ethiopia: Flights Suspended at Axum and Shire as US Warns Against Northern Travel

October 21, 2026 — The US Embassy in Addis Ababa has updated its security alert for northern Ethiopia, reporting that flights to Axum and Shire airports are suspended. It repeats the warning not to travel to the Amhara, Tigray and Afar regions, including the rock churches of Lalibela.

What the alert says

The alert was first published on October 19 and updated on October 20.
Flights are suspended at Axum and Shire airports in the Tigray Region. The embassy tells travelers to contact their airline for bookings and updates.
Fighting has decreased in the Tigray and Afar regions. On October 16, federal authorities announced a new federal administration for Tigray.
The embassy says the situation can change at any time, and that some social media accounts are spreading false or misleading reports.
US guidance for Ethiopia overall is to reconsider travel. US citizens should not travel to the Amhara Region (including Lalibela), the Tigray Region or the Afar Region, especially northern Afar. Anyone already there should leave if it is safe to do so.

Contacts: US Embassy Ethiopia +251 11 130 6000; emergencies for US citizens +251 111 307 900; State Department +1-888-407-4747 (from the US/Canada) or +1-202-501-4444 (overseas).

What it means for airline travelers

Northern historic circuit is off the table. Axum is suspended and Lalibela is in a do-not-travel region. Save those sites for later and keep any trip to Addis Ababa and areas outside the three northern regions.
Connecting through Addis Ababa is a different matter from traveling inside the country. Check your connection and the latest alert before you fly.
Check your insurance. Many policies exclude regions under a do-not-travel warning.
Avoid military installations, check news from more than one reliable local source, and register with STEP (US) or Registration of Canadians Abroad.