Addis Ababa Bole Airport: Size And Significance

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is one of the largest airports in Africa and the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines. The airport is located in the Bole neighbourhood, around 6 kilometres from the city centre. It has a capacity of over 22 million international and 2 million domestic passengers per year, with plans to increase this to 100 million. The airport has undergone multiple expansion projects, including the construction of a new terminal, a 38-metre-tall control tower, and the addition of a parallel runway.

Terminals

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has two terminals, connected by a walkway and free shuttle service. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights, while Terminal 2 serves international flights and features seven gates for arrivals and departures. Both terminals offer lounges, and there is a hotel at Terminal 2.

The airport is one of the largest in Africa and is the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines. It is located in the Bole neighbourhood, just under 4 miles (6km) from the city centre. The airport serves the Ethiopian capital and the surrounding area and is well-connected to the rest of the country by Ethiopian internal flights, road networks, and public transportation.

The airport has undergone several expansion projects over the years, with the goal of increasing its capacity and improving its facilities. The first phase of the expansion included adding a parallel runway and expanding the old one, allowing the airport to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A340. The second phase involved the construction of a new terminal with a large parking area, shopping complex, and restaurants. The third phase included the construction of a new control tower and the installation of new electrical and fire-fighting equipment.

The airport offers various facilities and services for travellers, including official parking options, car rentals, airport hotels, lounges, free Wi-Fi, a tourist information centre, banks, duty-free shops, pharmacies, and restaurants. The airport is open 24 hours, and there are information desks and first aid stations distributed throughout the terminals.

Expansion plans

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has undergone several expansion projects over the years to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and aircraft parking demands. In 1997, an expansion plan was announced, which included adding a parallel runway, expanding the old runway, constructing a new terminal, and building a taller control tower. This expansion improved the airport's capability to handle larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A340.

In 2010, the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise announced a $27.9 million expansion project to increase aircraft parking capacity from 19 to 44, allowing for heavier aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Boeing 777. This expansion work was undertaken in two phases on an 80-hectare (200-acre) site, with the first phase adding 15 parking stands and reducing traffic congestion.

The expansion of the new passenger terminal, projected to cost $250 million, was announced in 2012. This phase included the construction of new ramps capable of parking 24 aircraft, with another ramp being built for 14 more. The expansion also focused on improving taxiways and adding more aircraft parking spaces.

In 2017, Ethiopian Airlines Group signed a $350 million contract with China Communications Construction to build a new hub, with the goal of keeping up with the airline's growth and demand. The new airport, located 39km southeast of Addis Ababa in Bishoftu, is expected to handle 100 million passengers per year and cover 35 square kilometres of land area.

The new airport will feature four runways and is expected to cost between $2 billion and $5 billion. An 'airport city' is also planned, which will include hotels, shopping malls, office buildings, and apartments. The new Addis Ababa International Airport aims to create one of the largest hubs in Africa, accommodating the growing demand for air travel in the region.

Airlines

Bole Addis Ababa International Airport is the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines, one of the largest airlines in Africa. The airport is one of the busiest in Africa, with a capacity of over 22 million international and 2 million domestic passengers per year. The airport features an ultra-modern terminal, which was inaugurated in 2003, and has since undergone multiple expansions.

The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 serving domestic flights and Terminal 2 dedicated to international flights. Ethiopian Airlines has been consistently expanding its services, with plans to increase its wide-body aircraft fleet. The airline has ordered more Airbus A350s and Boeing 777Xs, requiring an expanded airport with increased capacity.

The first phase of the airport's expansion enabled the accommodation of 15 additional aircraft, reducing congestion. The expansion included a new ramp capable of parking 24 aircraft, with another ramp under construction for 14 more. The expansion also included the addition of more aircraft parking spaces and the expansion of taxiways, all in line with Ethiopian Airlines' ""Vision 2025" plan.

The second phase of the expansion was completed in 2019, further increasing the airport's capacity to handle more passengers and aircraft. The new check-in area and elevated road are still not operational as of 2020, with further expansion ongoing. The airport's capacity is expected to increase to 60 million passengers upon completion.

Ethiopian Airlines has also announced plans for a new airport near Addis Ababa, scheduled to be completed by 2029. This new airport will be the largest in Africa, with a capacity of 100 million passengers annually, featuring four runways and parking for 270 aircraft. The project is expected to cost at least $6 billion, with the goal of quadrupling the capacity of the current primary airport.

Passenger capacity

The current Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has an annual capacity of 22 million international and 2 million domestic passengers, for a total of 24 million passengers per year. However, Ethiopian Airlines carried 17 million passengers last year, and the airport handles nearly 380 flights per day, so the current airport is not designed to handle the amount of traffic during peak periods.

To accommodate this increase in international travel, the airport has undergone multiple expansion projects. The first phase of the expansion work enabled the airport to accommodate 15 additional aircraft, reducing traffic congestion at the airport. The second phase will enable the servicing of 10 additional aircraft. The whole expansion project was completed by the end of 2018, enabling the airport to accommodate up to 22 million passengers per year.

However, a new airport is planned for Addis Ababa, with the first phase expected to be ready by 2029. This new airport will become Ethiopian Airlines' new home and will have a capacity of 100 million passengers per year, quadrupling the capacity of the current airport. The new airport will feature four runways and parking for 270 aircraft. It will be located in Bishoftu, around 30 miles from Addis Ababa, and will open in phases, with the first phase costing $6 billion.

Location

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is located in the Bole neighbourhood, slightly under 4 miles (6 kilometres) from the city centre. It is one of the busiest airports in Africa, serving as a major hub for Ethiopian Airlines and the main international gateway to Ethiopia. The airport is well-connected to the rest of the country, with Ethiopian internal aircraft, road networks, and public transit serving the Ethiopian capital and the surrounding area.

The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 serving domestic flights and Terminal 2 dedicated to international flights. A walkway connects the two terminals, and a free shuttle service is available for passengers. Terminal 2 features seven gates handling international arrivals and departures, while Terminal 1 has been refurbished and expanded to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic.

The new international passenger terminal, inaugurated in 2003, is one of the largest in Africa, capable of handling about 3,000 passengers per hour. The terminal features arrival and departure halls for international and domestic passengers, a VIP salon, an airport security office, and offices and desks for various airlines. Additional facilities include immigration and customs offices, self-check-in kiosks, baggage drop-off counters, banks, duty-free shops, pharmacies, emergency clinics, hotel booths, telecom services, a tourist information centre, restaurants, bars, and free Wi-Fi services.

The airport has undergone several expansion projects to accommodate the growing number of passengers and aircraft. In 2012, a new passenger terminal expansion was announced with an outlay of $250 million. The expansion is being carried out in two phases on an 80-hectare (200-acre) site, aiming to increase the airport's capacity to service a total of 44 aircraft. The first phase has already enabled the airport to accommodate 15 additional aircraft, and the second phase will allow for 10 more.

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