The under construction Hawassa Internation Airport, located at the capital of Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples State, is announced to start operation soon.

The construction was started 14 months ago by Yotek Construction Plc at a cost of 457 million Birr. The construction includes 3 km asphalt runway, taxiway, apron and passenger terminal.

According to Wondim Teklu, Ethiopian Airports Enterprise Communications Affairs Head, construction of 2 kilometers of runaway is completed while the remaining 1 kilometer’s first layer is laid.

Construction of the runway is expected to be completed in 2 months. Once construction is completed, the runway would be able to accommodate aircrafts as big as Boeing B777, Wondim explained.

The Hawassa Airport will also be able to provide cargo flight services. “Hawassa is one of the 11 agro industry zones selected by the government. An industrial park has been built in the city. So, beyond passenger flight services, the airport will accommodate cargo flights. The economic development in the region was taken into account,” Wondim said.

On the other hand, Ethiopian Airlines’ Corporate Communications Manager, Hanna Atnafu, noted the airline was preparing to commence flight services to Hawassa 4 times a week. The service is tentatively scheduled to start April 15.

According to Hanna, the airline will use Bombardier Q400 turbo prop aircraft for the route.

Source: The Reporter