ETHIOPIA – Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline, has inaugurated its newly transformed domestic terminal at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD).
A Chinese consortium led the US$50 million expansion and renovation project, which opened to the public for the first time on May 18, 2024.
It has significantly upgraded the terminal, doubling its total area to 277,170 sq ft (25,750 sq m) and increasing its handling capacity twofold.
The newly inaugurated domestic terminal will be the main connecting hub for Ethiopian’s domestic operations, which serve over 200 flights to and from 22 domestic destinations daily.
The expanded terminal features modernized airport systems and facilities, including four new contact gates, ten remote departure gates, 22 check-in counters with an automated hold baggage screening system, self-check-in kiosks, a modern security screening system, and a premium-class VIP lounge.
The airport says these enhancements will “streamline passenger flow, improve comfort levels, and enhance the overall travel experience.”
Ethiopian Airlines Group’s CEO, Mesfin Tasew, expressed his delight at the new terminal to reporters, emphasizing the company’s commitment to elevating the standard of airport services and experience.
The new facility is important for facilitating the country’s integration, socio-economic development, and tourism and hospitality sectors promotion.
“The Domestic terminal expansion and renovation at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is a significant addition to our initiative of modernizing and renovating airports and aviation facilities in the country,” said Mesfin.
“As the demand in domestic travel is growing, completing this project would allow us to offer a smooth travel experience to our esteemed passengers.”
Mesfin added that, amid the fast-growing demand for domestic air transport services and recent developments in the country’s tourism sector, the domestic terminal in Addis Ababa has necessitated major expansion and renovation works to meet the growing demand.
The CEO noted that the new terminal, built by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), will increase the airline’s capacity to handle more travelers and enhance passengers’ overall travel experience to an international standard of domestic air transport service.
The Ethiopian national flag carrier declared that its focus on boosting passenger experience aligns with the airline’s broader aspiration of solidifying Ethiopia’s position as a global tourism destination.
According to the carrier, the new terminal is just one part of its future strategy to modernize aviation facilities and enhance air transport services in Ethiopia.
The airline has recently initiated thrice-weekly passenger flights to Dembi Dollo Airport (DEM), along with other new terminals at the Gode (GDE) and Jinka Baco (BCO) airports within the country.
Ethiopian Airlines’ 15-year strategic plan, known as Vision 2035, aims to make the company one of the most competitive and leading aviation groups in the world by providing safe, secure, market-driven, and customer-focused passenger and cargo transport, aviation training, airport management, and ground services, among other things.
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