Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has officially inaugurated the new Negele Borena Geda Airport in the south of the country, marking Ethiopian Airlines’ 24th domestic destination. The new airport is designed to handle larger and more advanced aircraft, including the Boeing 737 Max, and will begin operations immediately with three weekly flights.
The project is aimed at improving access to the southern region, with the prime minister stressing that every new runway built bridges a gap, unlocks regional economic potential, and brings people closer together. Abiy also praised Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, as the company marks its 80th anniversary this year, calling it “the pride of Africa” and “the New Spirit of Africa.”
Expansion Drive
The inaugurated airport is one of four new domestic airports Ethiopian Airlines announced earlier this year as part of a broader expansion drive aimed at improving connectivity across the country. In March, local media reported that the carrier planned to launch new hubs in Negele Borena, Gore Mettu, Mizan Aman, and Debre Markos. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew said the projects would expand the airline’s domestic network from 23 to 27 destinations.
New Aircraft Orders
The expansion comes as Ethiopia advances plans for Bishoftu International Airport, which is expected to become Africa’s largest aviation hub. Construction began in January after the mega-project was unveiled in 2025 to ease growing pressure on Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. In April, local media, citing data from US aircraft manufacturer Boeing, reported that Ethiopian Airlines had converted options for six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners into a firm order.
Some key facts about Ethiopian Airlines’ expansion include:
- 24 domestic destinations
- Over 145 international passenger and cargo destinations
- A fleet of over 170 aircraft, including Airbus models
- An average aircraft age of about seven years
As Ethiopian Airlines continues to expand its operations, it is likely to have a significant impact on the aviation industry in Africa. With its strong fleet and growing network, the airline is well-positioned to take advantage of the increasing demand for air travel in the region.
