ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on the Ethiopian government to accelerate investment in aviation infrastructure, projecting that passenger demand in the East African nation will triple over the next 20 years.
In a report released Wednesday, IATA highlighted Ethiopia’s strategic position as a continental hub but warned that the current pace of expansion must be maintained to avoid bottlenecks. Aviation currently contributes roughly $2 billion to Ethiopia’s GDP and supports over 520,000 jobs.
“Aviation plays a central role in Ethiopia’s growth, but there is clear potential to grow this contribution further,” said Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. “With 60% of the population under the age of 25, aviation is a powerful engine for jobs and skills.”
The report emphasized the need for “cost-efficient infrastructure” and a continued focus on sustainability. Ethiopia’s flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, has been the primary driver of this growth, turning Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport into the busiest transit point for travelers entering Africa.
IATA’s projections suggest that by 2044, Ethiopia will need to handle three times its current passenger volume. While the government has discussed plans for a new multi-billion dollar “mega-airport” south of the capital, IATA stressed that improving current ground-handling efficiencies and digitalizing customs for the 248,000 tonnes of annual air cargo are equally vital.
