Ethiopia - Airfield Profiles
Ethiopia has 84 airfields, 15 of which were paved as of 2007. Three of the paved runways are longer than 3,047 meters (10,000 feet); 21 unpaved runways are shorter than 914 meters (3,000 feet). Aircraft attempting to land on or take off from many of these runways frequently have to navigate around obstacles on runways, terrain features, birds, livestock, and wildlife.
The Ethiopian airport industry is considered as one of the one the worlds fast growing in the sector. Addis Ababa is home to the country’s largest international airport, Bole International Airport which has expanded from handling less than one million passengers per year, to over 6.5 million in a mere decade. The airport sees both cargo and passenger flights, with over 350.000 tons of cargo coming through the airport each year and is home to the country’s largest operators Ethiopian Airlines and EAE, Ethiopian Airports Enterprise.
Military / Civilian Dual Use
Bahir Dar Ginbot Haya International Airport
Ginbot Haya International Airport is located in the northwest part of Ethiopia in the Amhara Regional State. It is at a distance of 565Kms from Addis Ababa and 8Km from Bahar Dar city to the west near Lake Tana the source of Blue Nile (Abay River). It used to serve as domestic airport until its recent upgrading to serve as an International airport. There are a lot of tourist attraction sites around the airport in connection with ancient monasteries and churches on the islands of Lake Tana. The Blue Nile falls locally known as Tis Esat (the river that smokes) is also located here. There is an influx of tourists (Ethiopian Nationals and foreigners) and investors every year. The area is very conducive for agro-industry, mining and trade. The urban and rural inhabitants have rich culture and tradition. Furthermore, the airport’s scenery with the lake and boulevards in the city create endless pleasure to the travelers.
Dire Dawa International Airport
Dire Dawa International Airport is located to the East of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in the Dire Dawa Administrative Council. The airport is situated in the northwest of Dire Dawa town, 5 Km from center of the city. Since Dire Dawa is named as one of the industrial cities in the country, the importance of the airport is enormous especially for tourists, investors and the surrounding communities. It is also a good opportunity for tourists visiting the old city of Harar.
International Airports
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (AABIAP) is located on the Southern outskirts of the capital city about 8 km. from the town center, at an aerodrome elevation 0f 2325 m. It has a mean temperature of 25 degree Centigrade. It is considered Ethiopia's main international and domestic airport and it plays an important role for the country as well as hub airports in the neighboring countries. The Airport has served the nation as international gate way for the last 44 years. The current traffic movement is more than 1.6 million passenger per year.
Domestic Airports [partial list]
Arbaminch Airport
This airport is found in the south Nations Nationalities and peoples regional state. It is located south of Addis Ababa at a distance of 515Km and 5 Kms away to the NE of Arba Minch town. The airport became operational as of Hidar 17, 1990EC; with a handling capacity of B737.700. The area is very rich with different cultures. It has the Nech Sar National Park at Yegzehier Deldey mountain (God’s bridge mountain). The Omo and Mago National parks are 250Kms away from the airport and easily reachable. These three parks have various endemic birds and wild animals Arba Minch means forty natural springs.
Assosa Airport
Assosa airport is found in the Benshngul Gumuz Regional state. It is located to the west of Addis Ababa at a distance of 660Kms, and 5.5Kms to the south east of Assosa town. Its newly constructed runway has a handling capacity of B737 . 700 though not yet declared operational. The region where the airport is situated is very rich in minerals and has a great potential for agro-industry. Hence welcoming domestic/ foreign investors, individually and jointly.
Axum Emperor Yohanes IV Airport
This airport is found in the Tigray Regional National State. It is located 960Km (surface distance) away from Addis Ababa, and 5.5 Km to the east of town. It became operational as of July 15, 2000 with a handling capacity of B737-700. Critical aircraft. Axum town is very near (close) to the historical sites: Ruins of Queen of Sheba’s palace; The catacombs of king Kaleb and his son King G/Meskel; Fallen/standing Oblisks of different sizes and heights.
Gambella Airport
Gambella airport is to the west of Addis Ababa and at a distance of 777KMs. It is 17 KM away from Gambella town. The area all around the airport is very conductive for mechanized Agriculture, Agro industry, mining, fishing and trade. During summer, it is very hot. There are five nationalities within the Gambella regional state living with their distinctive culture and tradition. Baro river is the only navigable one.
Gondar Atse Tewodros Airport
Gonder, the graceful city was founded by Emperor Fasiledes around 1635. This city is known for its medieval castles, churches & monasteries. It was a center of religious teachings/learning and cultural heritages. Lake Tana, the largest in the country is 35 km to the south of the city. The city is very near (close) to the semien (north) mountains, where Ras Dashen, the highest mountain is found. Here, you can see the Chilada baboons, Red fox, various types of birds and Walya Ibex. Some of these animals are endemic to Ethiopia. Tewodros become king of kings of Ethiopia defeating the decentralized nobility rule. The airport is found 18 km to the south of the city (Gonder) and inaugurated in the name of Emperor Tewedros to make his heroic deeds known and remembered. Emperor Tewdros was the one who tried to unify Ethiopia under one central government. He tried to establish a salaried civil personnel, military…etc. He did his best to minimize the power of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Emperor Tewodros fought with the British army under the command of gen. Napier at Maqdella, and at last he shot himself rather than surrender to the invading enemies.
Jimma Airport
This airport is located to the south west of Addis Ababa and is at a distance of 355 Km. The airport is found 2.5Km to the south west of Jimma town. Aba Jifar palace, Jimma Museum, Seka falls and the Coffee Genetic Bank of Chochie are at a distance of 8, 2.5, 15 and 74 Km respectively from the airport. The existing runway and Terminal were constructed in 1954EC and 1956EC respectively. Now, a new and modern runway/terminal is under construction. The zone in which the airport is situated is very fertile and conducive for agriculture, agro-industry and trade. Jimma University is one of the well known universities in Africa. (There are other private higher learning institutions, clinics, hotels, restaurants, cafes & shops). Coffee (the "green gold" hard currency earning cash-crop) is believed to be planted and grown for the first time in Jimma. The buildings and streets of Jimma town are being renewed & rehabilitated for good use of the public. Investors are coming at great numbers every year, and the Investment Bureau is preparing a new urban/rural land use master plan. The Federal/Oromiya regional governments are upgrading and developing infrastructure of this area.
Jijiga Airport
Jijiga airport is one of the recently constructed airports. Its new runway/apron is available for operation, and the terminal building is under construction. This airport is located to the east of Addis ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Though the road is asphalted, it is very far and more time consuming. The area where the airport is situated is hot, but conducive for investment. The airport is very near to Somaliland (Hargessa) and Djibouti. Jijiga is the capital city of Somali Regional National State, and still Booming.
Lalibela Airport
Lalibela Airport is 23 Km from town. The town of Lalibela was formerly known as Roha, but changed its name after King Lalibela came to power. Lalibela was born as the youngest son from the royal line of the Zagwe Dynasty. This dynasty was established in the high plateaus of Wollo, after the downfall of the Axumite Empire. Here, any visitor can see the rock hewn churches of: Bete Medhane Alem (House of the world savior)33m long, 23.5m wide and 11m high; Bete Genette Mariam (house of St. marry)15m long, 11m wide and 10m high; Bete Amanuel (House of Emanuel); and Bete Giorgis (House of St. George). These mysterious and wonderful churches were built by King Lalibella and his successors. These churches are connected by tunnels and passage ways. They are freely standing and only attached to their bases. These monolithic churches have two to five aisles and have flat ceilings.
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