Ethiopia has inaugurated a new passenger terminal at Bahir Dar Dejazmach Belay Zeleke International Airport, reinforcing its drive to modernise transport infrastructure and strengthen regional connectivity. According to the International Air Transport Association, aviation supports more than 1.1 million jobs and contributes about US$4.9 billion, or around 4% of Ethiopia’s GDP, underlining the sector’s growing role in the country’s economic development.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has inaugurated the new terminal at Bahir Dar Dejazmach Belay Zeleke International Airport, describing the facility as a strategic investment to improve passenger services, stimulate tourism and strengthen regional economic integration. The modern terminal is expected to enhance the airport’s operational capacity while supporting Ethiopia’s broader ambition to expand its transport infrastructure and position itself as a regional aviation hub. The inauguration also forms part of the country’s continued investment in aviation, led by the expansion of airport infrastructure and the growth of Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline.
“The second largest terminal after Bole International Airport has been built in Bahir Dar City. There is no doubt that this development will bring good news to the market, the city, our region and the entire Ethiopian people.”
Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister – Ethiopia
The new terminal is expected to strengthen Bahir Dar’s role as a gateway to Ethiopia’s Amhara region, home to major tourism attractions including Lake Tana and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Lalibela and the Simien Mountains. Authorities also expect the upgraded facility to improve logistics, facilitate business travel and support regional trade as Ethiopia continues implementing large-scale infrastructure projects.
“The more we build, the more people come; the more our markets grow. As we grow, we need to increase the city’s income and capacity to carry out other developments and interventions.”
Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister – Ethiopia
The inauguration of the new terminal at Bahir Dar Dejazmach Belay Zeleke International Airport reflects Ethiopia’s broader strategy of investing in transport infrastructure to support tourism, trade and industrialisation, with aviation remaining a key pillar of the country’s long-term economic transformation.
