Ethiopian Airlines Group says it has successfully completed a new passenger terminal at its hub in Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with emphasis on biosecurity and biosafety measures.
Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ethiopian Airlines said on Thursday that the new terminal had check-in hall with 60 check-in counters.
GebreMariam said the terminal also had 30 self-check-in kiosks, 10 self-bag drop, 16 immigration counters with more e-gate provisions and 16 central security screening areas for departing passengers.
He said the terminal also had three contact gates for wide body aircraft along with 10 remote contact gates with people mover – travellator, escalator and panoramic lifts.
“It will house 32 arrival immigration counters with eight e-gate provisions at the Mezzanine floor level.
“I am very pleased to witness the realisation of a brand-new terminal at our hub.
“While Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has overtaken Dubai to become the largest gateway to Africa last year, the new terminal will play a key role in cementing that position.
“What makes the new terminal unique is that it’s the first terminal in the world to be completed after COVID-19.
“It was designed, not re-purposed, with Bio-safety and Bio-security in mind. I’m sure our esteemed customers will highly appreciate that,” he said.
He said that aviation infrastructure expansion was one of the core pillars of Ethiopian’s vision 2025.
He added that Ethiopia was continuously working on expanding airport facilities, adding that the features of the new airport played a key role in protecting passengers’ and employees’ safety as airport experience becomes contactless.
According to GebreMariam, Ethiopian Airlines is the fastest growing airline in Africa in its over 70 years of operation.
He said that the airline had become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.
He added: “Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the Pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to 127 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents.
“Ethiopian Airline fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777- 300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years.
“In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.”
“Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven strategic business units.
“Ethiopian International Services; Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services; Ethiopian MRO Services; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian Ground Services, Ethiopian Express Services and Ethiopian Airports.
“Ethiopian Airlines is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25 per cent in the past eight years.”