Short answer: Ethiopian Airlines meets the main current audit and operating checks used for international carriers. It is an IATA and Star Alliance member, is subject to IOSA requirements, and is not on the EU Air Safety List.
The record still includes three major fatal events that travellers often ask about: Flight 961 in 1996, Flight 409 in 2010 and Flight 302 in 2019.
IOSA
Ethiopian Airlines is a current IATA member. IATA requires eligible member airlines to maintain IOSA registration.
EU standing
Ethiopian Airlines is not named on the EU Air Safety List updated on 9 June 2026.
Latest fatal accident
Flight ET302, 10 March 2019; all 157 people on board died.
What the current checks show
| Check | Current position | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| IATA / IOSA | Current IATA member | The airline must maintain IOSA registration while eligible for the audit. |
| EU Air Safety List | Not listed | The airline is not subject to an EU operating ban or restriction. |
| Home oversight | Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority | The national regulator certifies and oversees the airline; ICAO audits the state’s oversight system. |
| Alliance | Star Alliance member since 2011 | Useful operational context, but alliance membership is not a safety certificate. |
Important: These checks screen current systems and oversight. They do not erase past accidents or guarantee a future outcome.
Fleet age and renewal
Ethiopian Airlines describes its fleet as averaging about seven years.
Its January 2026 fact sheet reported an average below seven years across more than 160 aircraft; the airline’s current overview says it owns more than 170 aircraft with an average age of seven years. The changing count reflects continuing deliveries and differences in reporting scope.
| Fleet measure | Airline-reported figure | Reporting point |
|---|---|---|
| Average fleet age | Under 7 years | January 2026 fact sheet |
| Average fleet age | 7 years | Current airline overview |
A young average fleet can mean newer aircraft technology and cabins, but it is not a safety score. Maintenance quality, crew training, operating procedures and regulatory oversight remain more important.
Major fatal events in the airline’s record
| Date | Flight | What happened | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Nov 1996 | ET961 | Hijacked; ditched near Grande Comore after fuel exhaustion | 125 |
| 25 Jan 2010 | ET409 | Crashed after takeoff from Beirut; Lebanese investigators cited loss of control and poor crew-resource management, which the airline disputed | 90 |
| 10 Mar 2019 | ET302 | 737 MAX crash after erroneous sensor data triggered MCAS | 157 |
There has been no fatal Ethiopian Airlines accident since ET302. Non-fatal events and diversions still occur; assess them by the official findings and outcome, not by a raw headline count.
What happened to Flight ET302
On 10 March 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 flying from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, crashed about six minutes after takeoff. All 157 people on board died. It was the second fatal 737 MAX crash in five months and was followed by the worldwide grounding of the type.
Ethiopia’s final report found that erroneous angle-of-attack data triggered repeated, uncommanded nose-down inputs from the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). The US National Transportation Safety Board agreed that MCAS and related systems played a central role.
However, the NTSB said parts of the Ethiopian report were not supported by the evidence. It concluded that the angle-of-attack sensor vane most likely separated after a foreign-object strike, probably a bird, rather than because of an electrical production defect. The NTSB and France’s BEA also said the final report did not give enough attention to human-performance and crew-response factors.
Where investigators agreed and disagreed
What travellers should check
- Confirm the operating carrier. Regional legs may be operated by a partner or affiliate.
- Allow enough connecting time. Addis Ababa is a major transfer hub, and separate tickets create extra risk if the first flight is delayed.
- Check live operations. Use the Ethiopian Airlines flight-status guide before leaving for the airport.
- Know your change options. Review baggage, transit requirements and rebooking terms before payment.
Compare current Ethiopian Airlines itineraries, flights to Addis Ababa and hotels in Addis Ababa on Wego.
How to read the evidence
IOSA, national oversight and operating restrictions show the airline’s present standing.
Read the lead investigation and participating authorities when their conclusions differ.
Operating carrier, connection time and disruption status are the most actionable checks.
FAQ
Is Ethiopian Airlines safe to fly in 2026?
It meets the main current audit and operating checks used for international airlines. No airline can be described as risk-free.
What caused ET302?
Erroneous angle-of-attack data triggered repeated MCAS nose-down commands. Investigators disagreed about the sensor’s failure mechanism and how crew-response factors should be treated.
Does Ethiopian Airlines still fly the 737 MAX?
Yes. The type returned to service after regulators required software, system and training changes. Travellers can check the scheduled aircraft, but airlines may substitute equipment.
Is Star Alliance membership a safety certificate?
No. It provides operational context, while IOSA and regulator oversight are the more relevant safety checks.
Sources
- Ethiopian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau: ET302 final report
- NTSB: response to the ET302 final report
- NTSB: additional comments on the ET302 report
- IATA: Ethiopian Airlines member record
- IATA: IOSA programme
- European Commission: EU Air Safety List
- Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority
- Star Alliance: Ethiopian Airlines
- Ethiopian Airlines: 2026 fact sheet
- Ethiopian Airlines: fleet overview
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
