Ethiopian Airlines Suspends Tel Aviv Flights Amid Heightened Regional Tensions













Addis Ababa, June 16, 2025 — Ethiopian Airlines has temporarily suspended all flights between Addis Ababa (ADD) and Tel Aviv (TLV) until June 22, 2025, citing “operational considerations,” according to an official announcement shared on the airline’s social media channels. The suspension affects both outbound and inbound flights and comes amid intensifying tensions in the Middle East.

The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, urging affected passengers to contact the nearest Ethiopian Airlines ticket office or reach out to the Global Customer Interaction Center at +251 116 179 900 for assistance and rebooking.

This move follows a pattern of growing unease surrounding air travel in and out of Israel, as multiple carriers have adjusted or halted services due to security risks stemming from the ongoing conflict in the region.

Background on the Regional Conflict

The temporary flight suspension coincides with a worsening security situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. As of mid-June 2025, Israel has continued its military campaign in Gaza, now in its ninth month, following the October 2024 escalation sparked by a large-scale surprise attack by Hamas. The conflict has since expanded, with reports of increasing hostilities along the northern border with Hezbollah and occasional rocket fire reaching central Israel.

Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport has remained operational, but with heightened security and occasional disruptions. Several international airlines, including Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates, have at times reduced frequency or rerouted flights.

While Ethiopian Airlines did not explicitly cite security threats as the reason for its suspension, analysts suggest that airspace risk, insurance liabilities, and potential diplomatic calculations may have played a role. Ethiopia maintains diplomatic relations with Israel and has a sizable Ethiopian Jewish community with frequent travel between the two countries. However, Addis Ababa is also under internal and external pressure to adopt more neutral stances on regional conflicts as geopolitical alignments shift globally.

Passenger Impact and Next Steps

Passengers booked on Ethiopian flights to or from Tel Aviv this week are urged to check their flight status and seek rebooking through official channels. The airline has promised further updates as more information becomes available.

This is not the first time Ethiopian Airlines has had to adjust routes for political or safety reasons, as the carrier often operates in volatile regional environments while maintaining one of Africa’s most expansive global networks.

As the situation in the Middle East evolves, observers will be closely watching how long this suspension lasts and whether it signals a broader reevaluation of Ethiopian Airlines’ engagement with the Israeli travel market.