Due to severe disruptions to land transport in recent years, Ethiopian Airlines has emergedas the primary, and in many cases, the sole means of transportation for travel within thecountry, particularly for travel to certain regions.
Air travel in Ethiopia today is not a matter of choice but a necessity for many, regardless oftheir economic status. Even the most economically disadvantaged citizens are often forcedto purchase airline tickets to travel within the country, especially to regions such as Tigray,Amhara, and Oromia, or to transit through these areas. As a result, domestic air travelwithin Ethiopia has experienced a substantial surge.
As a result, demand for domestic flights has surged dramatically. Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, already one of Africa’s busiest, now serves more than 22 million international passengers and millions of domestic travellers annually, offering world-class services despite mounting logistical pressures.
RELATED POSTS
This growing reliance on air travel was starkly highlighted on February 5, 2025, when operations at the airport’s domestic terminal came to an abrupt halt. Smoke filled the terminal, forcing Ethiopian Airlines to redirect all domestic flights to the international terminal for nearly a full day. The disruption underscored the critical role the airline plays in the country’s transportation infrastructure.
Ethiopian Airlines swiftly apologized to affected passengers, emphasizing that safety remained its top priority. The airline assured travellers that operations at the domestic terminal, commonly known as Terminal 1, would resume as soon as the situation was under control.
At a press conference on February 12, Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew addressed the incident, describing the fire as a minor event that originated in a small temporary storage area designated for confiscated hazardous items. He downplayed its impact but acknowledged that the resulting smoke had forced the terminal’s closure.
“A large number of lighters are confiscated from passengers each day during security screenings, along with items such as scissors, nail clippers, and liquids exceeding the allowed volume,” Mesfin explained. “These items accumulate in a designated chamber at the domestic terminal until they are properly disposed of by security personnel. The fire started in that storage area—it was more smoke than fire—but it spread through the check-in area.”
According to Mesfin, the incident occurred between 12 and 12:30 p.m. The terminal remained closed for nearly 18 hours as crews worked to clean the soot left by the smoke. Services resumed by 6 a.m. the following morning.
“No structural damage was done to the terminal, and the fire was contained within the storage chamber,” he said.
The airline has since taken steps to prevent similar incidents. According to the CEO, the management team has reviewed its procedures with security personnel to limit the accumulation of confiscated items at the terminal, aiming to prevent future incidents.
While Ethiopian Airlines maintains that lighters were the likely cause, questions remain. Lighters require a trigger to ignite, raising concerns about what exactly sparked the fire. An investigation is ongoing.
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport operates two terminals: Terminal II, which handles international flights, and Terminal I, recently refurbished and expanded, which serves all domestic flights. While the February 5 fire was quickly contained, aviation experts warn that even minor incidents at an airport pose serious risks.
“There is no such thing as a minor fire in aviation,” an aviation analyst told Reporter Magazine on condition of anonymity. “Every fire has the potential to escalate into a large-scale disaster. Fortunately, this one was extinguished before it spread and caused significant damage. But fires should not be happening at airports, especially given the advanced detection technologies available today.”
Fire prevention at airports is governed by strict international regulations. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) enforces stringent guidelines on what passengers and crew can carry onboard. The organization’s Provisions for Dangerous Goods Carried by Passengers or Crew outlines a detailed list of permitted, prohibited, and conditionally allowed items.
According to IATA regulations, “strike-anywhere matches, ‘blue flame’ or ‘cigar’ lighters, and lighters powered by lithium batteries without a safety cap or protection against accidental activation are forbidden.” While global aviation guidelines set general rules, individual airlines and airport operators have the authority to enforce even stricter security measures.
Lithium batteries, large volumes of liquids, explosives, compressed gases, and disabling devices such as pepper spray or tasers are among the high-risk items that require careful monitoring. Other potentially hazardous items—including alcoholic beverages, ammunition, baggage with installed lithium batteries, and flammable fuel containers—are subject to additional restrictions.
Though rare, airport fires have had catastrophic consequences in the past. In 1996, a fire at Düsseldorf Airport in Germany broke out inside the passenger terminal, killing 17 people and injuring 88 others. It became one of the worst structural fires in a commercial airport, caused by welding sparks igniting flammable polystyrene insulation. The damage was irreparable.
In 2011, another fire erupted in the arrivals hall of Cairo International Airport, leading to significant damage and an emergency evacuation. Reports indicated that a lack of fire suppression systems and a delayed response from firefighters worsened the situation.
While the February 5 incident at Bole International Airport was swiftly contained, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for heightened vigilance. According to one security analyst, lighters should never be allowed past the first checkpoint at the airport’s terminals.
For Ethiopian Airlines and airport authorities, the incident underscores the importance of strengthening security protocols, ensuring the proper disposal of confiscated items, and investing in fire prevention systems to safeguard passengers and infrastructure.
Nardos Yosef has contributed to this story.
