Ethiopian Airlines inaugurates Chinese-built terminal, doubling passenger capacity

People check in at the newly-built domestic passenger terminal at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on May 18, 2024. [Xinhua/Michael Tewelde]

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest and fastest-growing airline, inaugurated a Chinese-built domestic passenger terminal in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Saturday.

ADDIS ABABA -- Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest and fastest-growing airline, inaugurated a Chinese-built domestic passenger terminal in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa on Saturday.

The Ethiopian national flag carrier's newly inaugurated 50-million-U.S.-dollar domestic passenger terminal project at Bole International Airport, which includes major expansion and renovation works, is set to more than double the terminal's annual passenger handling capacity.

Mesfin Tassew, chief executive officer (CEO) of Ethiopian Airlines, said during the occasion that the Addis Ababa domestic terminal, which connects the Ethiopian capital with more than 20 domestic destinations across the East African country, serves as an important facility for facilitating the country's integration, socio-economic development, and promoting the tourism and hospitality sector.

He noted 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.

This photo, taken on May 18, 2024, shows the interior of the newly-built domestic passenger terminal at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [Xinhua/Michael Tewelde]

The CEO noted that the new terminal, built by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), will not only increase the airline's capacity to handle more travelers but also enhance passengers' overall travel experience to an international standard of domestic air transport service.

The terminal expansion and renovation work, which expanded the facility twofold to 25,270 square meters, equips the terminal with state-of-the-art passenger handling facilities, said Tassew.

The Ethiopian national flag carrier said its focus on boosting passenger experience aligns with the airline's broader aspiration of solidifying Ethiopia's position as a global tourism destination.

Ethiopian Minister of Tourism Nasise Chali said the renovated and expanded domestic passenger terminal will play a crucial role in streamlining the country's tourism sector by providing a better travel experience to domestic and international travelers and tourists, while also augmenting the country's image.

People check in at the newly-built domestic passenger terminal at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on May 18, 2024. [Xinhua/Michael Tewelde]

Ethiopian Airlines is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan, Vision 2035, aiming to become 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 others.

The inauguration event was attended by senior Ethiopian government officials, senior executives of Ethiopian Airlines, and representatives of the project contractor.