ADDIS ABABA – June 17, 2025 – Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline, has announced the temporary suspension of all flights between Addis Ababa (ADD) and Tel Aviv (TLV) until June 22, 2025. The airline cited “operational considerations” for the decision, which impacts both outbound and inbound flights to the Israeli capital.
The suspension, confirmed via an official announcement on the airline’s social media channels on Monday, June 16, comes amid a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Reports indicate increasing hostilities along the northern border of Israel with Hezbollah and ongoing military campaigns in Gaza, now in their ninth month following the October 2024 escalation. Recent days have also seen an exchange of missile attacks between Israel and Iran, with casualties reported in both Tel Aviv and Tehran, according to various news agencies.
While Ethiopian Airlines did not explicitly state security concerns as the reason for the suspension, analysts suggest that the escalating regional conflict, coupled with potential airspace risk and insurance liabilities, likely played a significant role. Several other international carriers, including Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates, have previously adjusted or halted services to Israel due to security risks.
The temporary halt in flights will affect passengers planning to travel between Ethiopia and Israel. Ethiopian Airlines has urged affected passengers to contact their nearest ticket office or the Global Customer Interaction Center for assistance with rebooking and further information.
Ethiopia maintains diplomatic relations with Israel, and there is a notable Ethiopian Jewish community with frequent travel ties between the two nations. This suspension marks another instance where Ethiopian Airlines, which operates an expansive global network, has had to adapt its routes due to volatile geopolitical environments. Observers will be closely monitoring the situation to see if the suspension extends beyond the stated June 22 deadline, potentially signaling a broader reevaluation of the airline’s engagement with the Israeli travel market.
