FCDO updates Ethiopia travel advice: all travel banned in multiple regions
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) updated its Ethiopia travel advice on 25 September 2026, adding new information on health screening on arrival, updating conflict and violence guidance, and removing content on elections and the Danakil desert. The FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray, Amhara and Gambela regions, and against all but essential travel to parts of Afar, Oromia, Somali and Benishangul-Gumuz regions. All civilian flights to and from Tigray were suspended on 22 September 2026, and flights to and from northern Ethiopia could be suspended or cancelled at short notice.
Impact and considerations
The advisory directly affects travel compliance and safety risk management for UK companies and business travellers with operations or staff in Ethiopia. Suspended flights to Tigray and uncertainty over northern routes could disrupt supply chains and staff deployment, requiring firms to reassess travel policies and in…
Key points
- The FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray, Amhara and Gambela regions, and to parts of Afar, Oromia, Somali and Benishangul-Gumuz regions.
- All civilian flights to and from Tigray were suspended on 22 September 2026, and flights to and from northern Ethiopia could be suspended or cancelled at short notice.
- The FCDO advises those in Tigray to shelter in place: stay indoors where possible, obey local restrictions such as curfews, monitor media and airline updates, and leave by commercial means as soon as it is safe.
- Staff at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa cannot offer in-person support in areas of Ethiopia where the FCDO advises against travel.
- The latest update adds information on health screening on arrival, updates conflict and violence guidance, and removes content on elections and the Danakil desert.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 29 May 2026, 18:35
- Page published
- 12 Aug 2026, 14:26
- Last updated
- 29 May 2026, 18:35
- Original links
- FCDO Travel Advice：Ethiopia travel advice (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 28 Feb 2013, 08:00