Ethiopia plots major capacity expansion

Following a rapid growth in traffic at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in recent years, plans are now under way to build a major new airport that would supersede Bole as main national hub for Ethiopia.

However, Shiferaw Alemu, CEO of Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (EAE), told IHS Jane’s that "prior to the construction of the new airport, Bole will be expanded in order to accommodate the traffic volume estimated for the medium-term plan, which is from 10 to 15 years”. Bole already operates at its full capacity of 6 million to 7 million passengers per year according to EAE, which is responsible for the development of the country's airports.

He added: “The new airport will be gradually developed to serve as a main future airport of the country in the long term. Addis Ababa Bole International is and will be the major hub in the country and in the region, until the new airport ultimately takes the lead.”

Plans for the new airport have been under discussion for several months but were postponed following the death of former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in August. However, the EAE, together with Ethiopian Airlines, the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority and other government bodies, is now working through plans for the new airport. Once the details are complete, approval will be sought from the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Alemu said that there are three potential sites for the new airport that have been identified, all around Addis Ababa, with a final decision to be based on technical and economic assessments.