Ethiopian Airlines Flight Cancellation: What to Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled (2026 Guide)

Ethiopian Airlines has resumed almost all its Middle East flights — only Kuwait stays suspended after the 3 June drone strike on Kuwait airport.

Here’s which routes are back, and how to rebook or refund if yours is hit.

Which Ethiopian Airlines Routes Are Affected?

Ethiopian Airlines has restored the bulk of its Gulf and Levant network as regional airspace has reopened. Tel Aviv, Beirut, Doha and Bahrain have all returned since mid-April 2026, with Bahrain still on a reduced schedule. Kuwait is the lone exception: the route remains suspended, and a planned 16 June restart was announced before the 3 June drone strike on Kuwait International Airport, so dates may shift.

How to Check If Your Ethiopian Airlines Flight Is Cancelled

1. Check your flight status on Wego’s flight tracker — Enter your Ethiopian Airlines flight number and date for real-time cancellation and delay information. You can also track all Ethiopian Airlines flights.
2. Ethiopian Airlines official website — Visit ethiopianairlines.com and use “Manage Your Booking” with your booking reference.
3. Ethiopian Airlines app — Download the Ethiopian app (iOS / Android) for push notifications on flight status changes.
4. Ethiopian Airlines call centre — Call +251 11 617 9900 (international) or your local Ethiopian Airlines office.

Your Options: Refund, Rebook, or Reroute

Ethiopian Airlines says passengers affected by the suspended Kuwait route can rebook for a new travel date once operations resume, reroute to a nearby destination, or request a full refund of the unused ticket.

Booking channel matters: passengers who booked directly with Ethiopian Airlines should contact the airline for assistance, while passengers who booked through travel agencies should contact their agents.

Connecting passengers: If you were transiting through a Middle East hub on an Ethiopian Airlines itinerary, your entire journey is affected. Contact Ethiopian Airlines to arrange a complete alternative itinerary or request a full refund.

What to Do If You’re Stranded

If your connection is disrupted and no immediate alternative is available, Ethiopian’s Conditions of Carriage say the airline will provide hotel accommodation, ground transportation to and from the hotel, and a free 3-minute international phone call. Ask the customer service desk at Addis Ababa Bole Airport (ADD) to activate this.

If You’re Stranded at Addis Ababa Bole Airport (ADD)

1. Find the Ethiopian Airlines customer service desk at Bole Airport and call +251 11 617 9900 (international) simultaneously.
2. Request written confirmation of the cancellation and what care the airline will provide.
3. Document everything: Screenshots of departure board cancellations, meal and hotel receipts, and all correspondence.
4. If the airline cannot provide accommodation, book your own and keep receipts. Use Wego’s hotel search for Addis Ababa to find rooms.

Ethiopian Airlines Contact Information

Tips for Affected Travellers

• If your route has resumed, rebook directly. Most Gulf and Levant destinations are operating again. Contact Ethiopian Airlines or your travel agent to get rebooked.
• If you’re booked to Kuwait, hold off. The route is still suspended. Wait for the airline to confirm a firm restart date, or ask to reroute or refund.
• Don’t book replacement flights at inflated crisis prices. Wait 48–72 hours for the market to normalise unless travel is urgent.
• Document everything. Screenshots and receipts are essential for reimbursement claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a full refund if Ethiopian Airlines cancels my flight?

Yes. You are entitled to a full refund to your original payment method for the unused portion of your ticket. Refund processing times may be longer than usual given the volume of affected bookings.

Which Ethiopian Airlines Middle East routes are operating now?

As of June 2026, Ethiopian Airlines is operating to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dammam, Amman, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Doha and Bahrain, with some routes on reduced schedules. Kuwait remains suspended. Monitor Wego’s ET flight tracker and the airline’s website for the latest updates.

When will Ethiopian Airlines resume Kuwait flights?

Ethiopian Airlines announced plans to restart Kuwait service on 16 June 2026. That announcement came before a drone strike damaged a terminal at Kuwait International Airport on 3 June 2026, so the date may change. Confirm with the airline before booking. For the wider picture, see Wego’s Kuwait travel advisory.

Are Ethiopian Airlines flights within Africa and to other continents affected?

No. Ethiopian Airlines’ African, European, Asian, and Americas network continues to operate normally. Only Kuwait remains suspended.

Sources

1. Ethiopian Airlines — Official Travel Update
2. Addis Insight — Ethiopian Airlines to Resume Kuwait Flights in June
3. Capital Ethiopia — Ethiopian Airlines to Resume Kuwait Flights in June
4. Al Jazeera — Iranian Drone Attack on Kuwait Airport
5. Khaleej Times — Iran Attack on Kuwait: Damage and Guidelines

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.