By Sana Elouazi
Rabat – Ethiopia sees big for its civil aviation after authorities announced that expansion work of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is taking place to increase its capacity to 22 million annual passengers by the end of 2018, which would makes it even larger than South Africa’s O.R Tambo International Airport with its 20 million passengers.
According to the Ethiopian News Agency, citing Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam, the new mega-airport has been under construction since September 2014 and it would have technology to provide modern services and streamline passenger traffic.
The planned giant airport in Africa is set to be one of the country’s ambitious plans. Ten years ago, Bole International airport was able to welcome only 1 million passengers compared to 9 million passengers in 2016.
According to the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Bole International Airport will be the first airport in Africa in terms of receiving passengers by the end of the project.
“The airport will be something of great benefits for Ethiopia’s tourism sector and thus for Ethiopian economy,” said Wondim Teklu, Ethiopian Airports Enterprise’s head of the Communication Affairs Office.
“This addition to the aviation industry will certainly play a huge role in the comprehensive development of both Addis Ababa and the country at large,” Teklu added.
Ethiopia’s government also hopes to build on these modern airport infrastructures to make the country emerge as a privileged tourist destination and a leading industrial hub.
The new mega-airport is also expected to contribute to the ambition of Ethiopian Airlines to become the largest carrier in Africa, as part of its strategic plan “Vision 2025” launched in 2010.
The company, which currently serves 91 international destinations, plans to increase its fleet of 77 aircraft currently to 120 aircraft in 2025, the year in which the carrier plans to generate a turnover of USD 10 billion.
