The aviation sector in Ethiopia is showing growth according to all standards announced the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority.
Ethiopian civil aviation is at the average standard internationally and amongst the few African countries with a safety record of 200 departures as compared to just 105 three years ago explained Endeshaw Yigezu, Directory of the Air Transport Planning Directorate of the authority.
The authority encourages private investment in the sector by offering a range of privileges in accord with the Investment Code such as duty free import privileges, and priority in various sectors including exploration, tourism, aerial and humanitarian sectors he said.
Private investors however are inhibited by financial constraints and the shortage of comptent aviation personnel noted Endashaw.
It is to be remembered that the budget set for the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority for the just beginning financial year is 143.4 million birr according to the authority.The budget will go to finance projects that range from implementing control mechanisms for the aviation industry to the various airport and airstrip projects across the country.
The projects to upgrade the tower and to improve radar at Bole International Airport, as well as the construction of the Gambella Airport tower, the tower and air navigation facility construction at Kombolcha airport and the purchase of flight calibration consoles will all be financed by the proposed budget.
The authority planned its budget for the coming fiscal year as part of its goal to establish an internationally competitive and accredited civil aviation industry by the year 2025 said Endeshaw Yigezu, Air Transport and Planning Director with the Authority.
Source: Ethiopia Press Agency
