Airbus expects Ethiopia’s air passenger traffic to increase sixfold over the next 20 years, supported by Ethiopian Airlines’ expanding network, rising travel demand and investments in airport infrastructure.
Airbus Vice President for Market Analysis and Forecast Antonio Da Costa said the carrier’s established hub operations and fleet capabilities position it to benefit from growing regional and international travel. The manufacturer also expects Addis Ababa to become an increasingly important connection point for flights across Africa and beyond.
The outlook for Ethiopia exceeds Airbus’s projection for the continent as a whole, where air traffic is forecast to triple during the same period. Stronger intra-African links and growing demand for long-haul services are expected to create opportunities for airlines and airports to expand capacity.
A major part of Ethiopia’s aviation strategy is the planned Bishoftu airport, which is expected to become Ethiopian Airlines’ principal operating base. Once fully operational, the new facility is designed to handle up to 110 million passengers annually, providing room for substantial future growth.
Connecting travelers already represent nearly two thirds of Ethiopian Airlines’ passenger traffic, reflecting Addis Ababa’s role as a transfer hub linking African cities with destinations in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Airbus has maintained a longstanding partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, which became Africa’s first operator of the Airbus A350 in 2016 and later the continent’s first customer for the larger A350-1000.
The aircraft manufacturer intends to continue supporting the airline with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, technical assistance and operational solutions as it expands its services.
The forecast underscores Ethiopia’s ambition to strengthen its position as a leading African aviation gateway, with new infrastructure and expanded connectivity expected to support growth over the coming decades amid rising competition in regional aviation.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency
