AIRPORT AND AVIATION NEWS AND DISCUSSION [Archive]

abesha

February 7th, 2010, 09:58 PM

NAM NEWS NETWORK Feb 7th, 2010

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 7 (NNN-ENA) — Board Chairperson of Ethiopian Airport Enterprises (EAE) Alemayehu Tegenu said the government has attached due attention to construction of airports in industrial corridors and towns in the country.

A terminal upgraded at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport [this must be the old terminal that was used for domestic flights. It was closed when I was there a couple of months ago] at a cost of 105 million birr was inaugurated on Saturday.

Alemayehu, who is also Minister of Mines and Energy, said the government has been taking various measures over the last few years to enhance the aviation industry.

He said the government has been constructing airports across the nation in the last five years . He mentioned Humera, Jijiga and Semera airports constructed during the reported period.

Alemayehu said construction of airports will be carried out in industrial towns and localities.

He cited a case in point construction of Kombolicha airport at a cost of 60 million birr.

Bahirdar and Mekelle airports have been upgraded to international airport level, he said, adding, the government is striving to enhance standards of airports and furbishing them.

Transport and Communications State Minister Getachew Mengiste on his part said the government has spent over 1.2 billion birr on the aviation industry during the last five years.

He said the government would further continue expanding airports and upgrading their service in the country.

EAE General Manager, Shiferaw Alemu on his part said the construction and upgrading of the domestic flight terminal was completed in two years time.

He said the terminal, which will serve for 15 years, was constructed at a cost of over 105 million birr.

The manager said the newly constructed terminal would serve as flight center for domestic and neighbouring African countries.

He said the terminal includes, among others, two passenger boarding bridges, and installation of security apparatus.

The EAE has also constructed condos at a cost of close to 14 million birr for security members of the airport .http://news.brunei.fm/2010/02/07/ethiopian-govt-set-to-expand-airports-in-industrial-corridors-minister/

Not sure if it should be in the Projects section.

abesha

April 13th, 2010, 09:50 AM

Enterprise Launches Passenger Terminal Construction

The Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (EAE) has launched the construction of a passenger terminal at the Assosa Airport at a cost of over 90 million Br. The construction of the terminal, which will include a waiting room for passengers, banks, restaurants, shops, and offices, is being carried out on 2,200sqm, Shiferaw Alemu, general manager of the enterprise, said. The terminal, which will be completed in two years, is designed to accommodate up to 176 passengers at a time, he said. http://addisfortune.com/newsinbrief.htm

abnet

June 10th, 2010, 03:58 AM

Bahir dar airport expansion with 150 million birr(about 12 million dollar)

Multi-million Birr Airport Expansion Project In Progress
Addis Ababa, June 6, 2010 (Addis Ababa) -The Bahar Dar City Airport expansion project launched at a cost of 150 million Birr by the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise is in progress, its public relations said.

The Head, Wondimu Teklu told ENA over the weekend that the expansion work is being speeded up.

The expansion work includes the construction of a terminal which is of international standard, and a deep freeze store.

Wondimu said the terminal will have different facilities including information desk, a shop, bank and restaurant, among others.

The terminal can accommodate 160 passengers at a time which is greater by 30 than that of the old terminal. :lol: apparently it has long way to go.

The project is expected to meet the growing demands of tourists flowing into the city :cheers:

(c) The Ethiopian News Agency

This is a good news since bahir dar has a big potential to produce flowers and fruits and to send in cargo planes to the appropriate market

Yoniii

June 10th, 2010, 09:07 AM

Isn't 160 passengers at a time very little for a city like Bahar Dar?

Simfan34

June 10th, 2010, 01:36 PM

Isn't 160 passengers at a time very little for a city like Bahar Dar?

I have been to Bahir Dar Airport, no more than 30 people were in it. I'm a bit perplexed at why they feel the need to expand it, it was already much too large- it had a whole (empty) waiting room filled with around eight (empty) storefronts. I also fail to see why an airport of "international standard" would accommodate only 160 passengers at a time. I could have seen the airport as I saw it back in 06' handling well over 1000! (with more staff, of course)

Simfan34

June 10th, 2010, 01:41 PM

Some pictures of Bahir Dar Ginbot Haya Airport.

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/6/2/0/0457026.jpg

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/7/2/0/0457027.jpg

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/7/8/0/1710087.jpg

http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/5/0/0/0303005.jpg
The Derg set it on fire on the closing days of their regime.

Yoniii

June 10th, 2010, 02:17 PM

I don't like it at all. It looks like something that's waiting to be demolished. Bahir Dar is a tourist spot, the standards should be higher than this.

yosef

June 10th, 2010, 03:25 PM

^^yeah Im not too crazy about it either, I saw some underconstruction pictures of the Bahir Dar terminal the other day on etv news and it looks like its going to be alot bigger than it currently looks (in Simfans pictures). Im not sure if the design will look any better tho, since I havent seen any renderings of the final thing.

Video of Jimma Airport upgrading (Amharic)

sNx35ubhFrU

Video of Assosa Terminal construction

AuBR2IlkoqA

Simfan34

June 10th, 2010, 05:01 PM

I don't like it at all. It looks like something that's waiting to be demolished. Bahir Dar is a tourist spot, the standards should be higher than this.

The design is not the best, but it looked well built and functional.

Yoniii

July 7th, 2010, 01:02 PM

The Ethiopian Airport Enterprise (EAE) signed on Wednesday an agreement with Akir construction, a local Company, to construct kombolcha (http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=11.079872,39.743448&z=14&t=h&hl=sv) airport amounting to over 45 million birr.

EAE General Manager, Sheferaw Aleme and Akir construction Company General Manager, Awotaheng Kiros signed the agreement.

According to the agreement, the construction of the gravel runway with 2,00 meter length and 45 meter width will be constructed.

On the occasion, Shiferaw said more than 45 million birr allocated for the construction of the runways and the terminal which will be finalized in 15 months. He said the terminal which will have the capacity to accommodate 80 passengers at a time.

According to the manager, government has paid 51 million birr as compensation payment for the evacuee at the construction site.

The enterprise is administering 17 airports across the nation that it has administered.
:cheers:

Yoniii

September 22nd, 2010, 04:08 PM

Bole Int’l Airport to Offer Free Wireless Internet Service

Addis Ababa, September 21, 2010 (Addis Ababa) - The Ethiopian Airport Enterprise (EAE) said it is to start providing free wireless internet service at Bole International Airport.

In a press conference she gave here on Tuesday EAE Information and technology service acting head, Birhane Sisay said the service will be launched within a month.

The head said passengers will have access to free internet services in both the old and new terminals.

She said the Ethiopian Information Network Security Agency (INSA) and the Ethiopian Information Technology Agency have been working to launch the service.

EAE public relations head, Wondim Tekilu on his part said Bole International Airport has been chosen among the eastern African countries. Thus , he said the commencement of the service will further enhance its services.

It was noted that Bole International Airport is the main international gateway for the nation and also serving neighboring countries as a hub.

It is also the first airport in Africa to operate Bar Coded Boarding Passes (BCBP) for all international flights, two years ahead of the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) deadline of 2010.

The operation of BCBP has simplified the check-in and boarding process for more than 3 million passengers who are currently using Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

The enterprise, currently manages 15 airports, is undertaking reform study that would make it a competent enterprise in Africa in the coming 15 years.
- ENA (http://www.ena.gov.et/EnglishNews/2010/Sep/21Sep10/121814.htm)

Yoniii

September 22nd, 2010, 04:08 PM

Yoniii

September 22nd, 2010, 04:08 PM

Yoniii

September 22nd, 2010, 04:08 PM

abesha

September 22nd, 2010, 04:54 PM

Simfan34

September 22nd, 2010, 05:15 PM

That's good, but with the ridiculous speed is it even worth it?

With the projected growth of Ethiopian Airlines, what do you think is the government's plan in regards to Bole Airport? It seems to me that by 2020, they need to either expand the current airport, or build an entirely new one outside the city.

The current airport will be way too small in a decade.

I feel Bole is small as is, it has only 5 gates! I think if we played our cards right, Addis could become a hub, and not only for EAL, but in general. However, with the way Addis is growing, I fear Bole may wind up too close to the city- it already is stymieing the growth of the city in that direction. Heck, I feel that unless serious action is taken regarding urban planning, we'll need to build a "New Addis" (yes, that translates to new new) in 10-15 years, like Putrajaya or New Delhi, close to Addis, perhaps in the farmland between Gerji and Debre Zeit.Even in 06', when I went, the place seemed packed to the max. An expansion, by now, must really be in order.

Anyways, I once drew plans for a giant airport http://maps.google.com/maps?q=8.884953%2C38.624811&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl, based on Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, will scan it when I get home.

Yoniii

September 22nd, 2010, 06:46 PM

I was thinking about the speeds as well, when I was there soon two years ago, I couldn't even access my web mail at times.

The expansion of Bole will be necessary soon, I guess they have plans for this already with the way the traffic is growing, tourism will increase as well. It will most likely be a new terminal, I don't think it will be a new airport at a different location since EA have plans for a four star hotel nearby.

Simfan34

September 22nd, 2010, 07:36 PM

Tarrex

September 22nd, 2010, 08:15 PM

The best option in my opinion would be to build a new airport along the Addis-Nazret road. But they will probably not because the investments in the bole airport would be in vain. If you look at addis on google earth you can clearly see that developments surround both sides of the airport leaving the airport with no possibility to expand and with the current growth they must realize that the current location will not allow them to grow the ambitious way they strive for.

abesha

September 22nd, 2010, 08:50 PM

^^ Exactly.

My solution would be to build a brand-new large international airport starting sometime 2015-2017 (for completion around 2020) outside of Addis so that it serves Addis/Debre Zeit/Nazareth.
It can be completed in stages so that it keeps up with growth in passenger numbers. E.g. stage 1 completed in 2020, with capacity of 7 million pax, stage 2 completed in 2023, for total capacity 10 million pax,stage 3 completed in 2026, total capacity 12 million pax, etc.

The current airport can then become exclusively a domestic airport starting from the completion of stage 1 of the international airport.

When domestic traffic becomes too big for Bole (around 2028-30 IMO), then they can move that one out to the new international airport and dismantle Bole.

This new one was built after countless delays, and the previous airport, built to handle 300 000 pax, was handling over 1.5 million pax!!

I just hope they won't wait so long to act that we will end up with a super crowded airport and no new one in site.

Simfan34

September 22nd, 2010, 09:41 PM

I have an optimistic feeling we'll be beyond 12 mil well before 2026.

If we take last year's increase of 13.1%, we'd get 11,979,174 by 2020, 2008's increase of 9.0%, 8,280,676 by 2020, and 2007's increase (hopefully!) of 24.0%, a staggering 30,061,985 by 2020. If we take the average of those, 15.6%, we get 14,600,014 by 2020. This, of course, operates on very, very small domestic numbers, as is the case currently, so we'll have to add several million to any number.

lamrof

September 22nd, 2010, 10:17 PM

Two years ago I read a report EAL has dumped ETC on their asses and started working on their own Broadband access via satellite links offered by some foreign provider. EAL is one, AU is another, the world bank in Addisaba also doesn't use ETC services. These are for example who bypass the big fat slimy mess called ETC. So I think if EAL have it running by now it will b reasonably fast.

While flying from Bangkok to Addisaba some 2.5 years ago, I stood in line to check in together with other numerous Africans. We stood there for about 3.5 hours with the line not moving. Frustrated passengers got a response that the network in Addisaba was down and so they couldn't not verify who paid and who didn't at the the check-in counter.

Stupid ETC, should have demolished their building in Addisaba with all the management and their supporters in it.

Simfan34

September 22nd, 2010, 10:45 PM

And for an idea of how many gates would be needed, Singapore Changi had 404391 passengers per gate (ppg, I made it up in the car), while Bole had 291487 ppg. If we take the average figure, 14,600,014, Bole would need 51 gates if it kept the current ppg, or 36 with Changi's. With the high figure, we'd need 74 with the Changi ppg, and... wait for it... 103 with the Bole ppg.

Yoniii

September 22nd, 2010, 11:15 PM

Stupid ETC, should have demolished their building in Addisaba with all the management and their supporters in it.

:lol:

Yoniii

September 22nd, 2010, 11:20 PM

Simfan34

September 22nd, 2010, 11:22 PM

Feel like sending another email? This time to the Ethiopian Airport Enterprise.. :D

But what would I tell them?

Yoniii

September 22nd, 2010, 11:41 PM

But what would I tell them? I wasn't dead serious, but the calculations you made which proves that expanding this terminal won't solve the problem on the long run.. we need a new airport outside the city. But if it's located outside the city, an airport express way would be needed too.. I don't even want to think about the costs.

abesha

September 22nd, 2010, 11:46 PM

Simfan, I was just giving examples with the figures, they were totally random numbers :lol:

I think current figures are around 3.5 million, yes? It's one of the fastest growing airports in Africa, (last year was 2nd fastest), and if we assume a conservative average growth of 10%/annum, that means 10 million pax in 2020.

I say conservative because in 2007, it was 23.5%, 2008, 9% and 2009, 13.1%. So it's likely to be quite a bit higher than 10%, especially since EAL will start receiving its new aircraft and it will add lots of new destinations starting next year.

Simfan34

September 22nd, 2010, 11:56 PM

Okay, okay!

However I don't think Bole is a loss. I think another terminal and runways to the south like Suvarnabhumi (see below), with a large airport zone could be a feasible option.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/VTBS_layout_phrase2.png
So we'd have the exisiting terminals to the left, a new large terminal in the center with road access, and a plan for expansion on in the center. Further to the right (south) would be a hotel district, park-a-car services, car rental facilities, storage facilities, and a lot of open space to prevent over-development.

And my scanner does not seem to be cooperating today. :ohno: The plan had a U-shaped terminal with concourses extending out of it. In the "U" was parking, hotels, and a station for a rail link. The terminal had 40 gates.

Simfan34

September 23rd, 2010, 03:58 AM

Too ugly too be seen, see next page for better plan.

Ultra-rough sketch, will draw up detailed plan when I have photoshop, time, and the scan.

Simfan34

September 23rd, 2010, 03:58 AM

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/7426/sillybole.jpg

Ultra-rough sketch, will draw up detailed plan when I have photoshop, time, and the scan.

abesha

September 23rd, 2010, 04:33 AM

Interesting idea there but I still think it has to go out of town.
My reasons for wanting it outside of Addis are:

a. Traffic issues going in and out of the airport. It's going to be a major MAJOR problem in the future if it stays in Bole. It's not a problem now, but when the number of passengers hits double figures, you'll see.

b. Noise levels: it's currently manageable, but if the airport starts getting hundreds of flights a day, it will be a huge problem for the surrounding areas that are mainly residential.

c. Distance from Nazareth. This city and Addis will eventually form a huge agglomeration. They're only 50 miles apart, and with the new highway, it's going to take 40 minutes to drive there. Therefore any brand new airport has to be built with that in mind so it has to be accessible to passengers to/from Nazareth.

d. Height restrictions; if the airport is in town, then forget about supertalls in Addis.

Simfan34

September 23rd, 2010, 04:50 AM

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/849/topbmpx.jpg

Simfan34

September 23rd, 2010, 05:06 AM

I think we've invested too much in Bole too recently to go and replace it at this point. Nor I do see a height limit as a concern. Bole is four and a half miles from downtown. However, London City Airport and Boston Logan are less three from their downtowns, and they go tall. Even New York's LaGuardia is four miles from Midtown, and they were going to build a supertall literally right next to Las Vegas's airport. I think Bole's flight patterns would not pose a problem. Noisewise, people live close to most airports. They'll have to deal with it. Traffic? That could be solved with a short rail line from the airport (green in the above map) to Legehar, where it would connect to the line to Nazret. We have to invest in mass transit. Eventually, no matter how far we put it, development will catch up, so I think worrying about is futile.

Simfan34

September 23rd, 2010, 09:17 PM

And the whole vision, the existing airport is on the left.

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/9886/top1bmps.jpg

Yoniii

September 23rd, 2010, 11:07 PM

Yoniii

September 23rd, 2010, 11:09 PM

grr these server delays.

Simfan34

September 23rd, 2010, 11:18 PM

I admire the passion you have for your country!

Something similar to Bangkok's airport (Which btw is one of the most fantastic airports I've stepped my foot on) would work, but like Abesha pointed out, it would limit the development in Addis Ababa on the long run.

Oh, you flatter me.

But I really do think with the right planning, I really it will work quite well with the city.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7830/boleflightpaths.jpg
A sample of the flight paths for planes landing/taking off from Bole Airport, with holding stacks (where planes circle before landing) as the circles. As you can see, it avoids downtown entirely.

Simfan34

September 24th, 2010, 12:32 AM

Details:

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/9194/bt4146beijingapmhr.jpg
There will be an inter-airport tram system running from Terminal 1, stopping at Terminal 2, linking, and ending at terminal 3, however, a tunnel will be partly built as so it can end at the future Terminal 4/5, and loop back to Terminal 1. I use Beijing's system because it is the most recent I have traveled on.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/LightTunnelDetroit.jpg/640px-LightTunnelDetroit.jpg
Connecting Concourse 6 (C6 in the plan, which will come in a separate phase) to the rest of the airport will be a high-speed moving walkway. Because of security, the tram can't stop there, and so a separate system is needed. The picture shows such a system in Detroit's airport, which I have also traveled on. Such a high-speed walkway exists at Toronto Pearson, but it was out of service when I went.

http://static.asiawebdirect.com/m/bangkok/hotels/bangkok-com/novotel-suvarnabhumi/hotelBanner/hotel00.jpg
A number of foreign hotels will be invited to open licensing and franchise operations in the airport zone, to the east of the airport. I specifically imagined a Novotel, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, perhaps a Hilton plus the Ethiopian Airlines Hotel. Also in this airport zone would be "park-and-fly" (places where you can leave your car) and car rental services. There would also be a number of processing, packaging, a shipping facilities. The airport zone would be connected by road (the two you see would merge to form one road) to Gerji. The picture is of the Novotel at Suvarnabhumi.

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/2208/img2972qy.jpg
The Airport authorities would encourage flights to fly to Bole by nearly-nonexistent fees, and aggressive marketing as a connecting point, escpecially from Asia to Africa- China will be a major market, so the signage in Chinese (in little text) as well as Amharic and English (which is not too odd- There is Chinese at Vancouver Airport and Japanese at Detroit Airport). The picture is mine, from Beijing. Addis will also be promoted as a cargo hub into Africa.

http://ic2.pbase.com/u44/birabiro/upload/28450062.1000008_IMG.jpg

The current terminal 2 will be used for "local" international flights (Kenya, Uganda, Sudan...), as well as domestic flights. As domestic travel increases, the terminal will be given over to domestic, an Terminal 3's C6 will be built to handle the international flights. Eventually, Terminal 1 will be demolished and replaced by a larger terminal, also for domestic flights.

More will come as I think it up.

OMG, it appears Google uploaded new imagery in between now and when I last looked. More recent, but there's a lot of clouds!! :ohno:

Simfan34

September 24th, 2010, 04:18 AM

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/8365/bt1396talent2hr.jpg
A rail link will connect Bole Airport to Legehar, covering the four miles in 15 minutes. The train will be on an elevated track most of the time, but will end at grade at the station. The train will depart in front of the current Terminal 2, stop at the intersection of Bole Ave. and Wollo Sefer, Dembel City Center, and south of Meskel square before arriving at the station.

http://www.johnnyjet.com/photos/PicForNewsletterBrussels-to-Delhi-on-JetAirways7.JPG
The airport would include a great deal of duty free shopping. Bole Terminal 3 would be an ideal way to give international brands a foothold in Ethiopia, such as McDonald's, Nando's as well as various designer stores. A wide variety of stores and restaurants would be available, and ethnic foods will tend to be available near the gates to the countries they hail from. Also, a wide variety of Ethiopian brands will be present, such as BookWorld, Kaldi's Coffee, etc., as to give them international exposure.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2156/2316571580_dee31cb5d5_z.jpg
Muslim, Orthodox, Catholic, and interfaith prayer spaces should be present in the airport.

So... what else?

abesha

September 24th, 2010, 04:34 AM

I agree with everything, all in due time obviously, except that I still feel it should be much further out of town. Bole to Meskel Square is something like 4-5 km. Way too close. It should be about 15-20 km outside the city.

Ahadu

September 24th, 2010, 05:00 AM

c. Distance from Nazareth. This city and Addis will eventually form a huge agglomeration. They're only 50 miles apart, and with the new highway, it's going to take 40 minutes to drive there. Therefore any brand new airport has to be built with that in mind so it has to be accessible to passengers to/from Nazareth.

Convert and expand the existing Debrezit Air Force Base into a second commercial Airport and hook it up to the new express way via under ground. The current airport can serve as a domestic airport only with light aircraft & call it the second old airport :)...........

Hersh

September 25th, 2010, 07:53 PM

Hersh

September 25th, 2010, 07:57 PM

Oh wow, I like how google updates its global maps so frequently.

Last time I checked, there was no illustrative map for Nazrete, but there was for Debre Zeit. Now Nazret is properly displayed too in Map view.

Hersh

September 25th, 2010, 08:14 PM

Promising
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5954/debrezeyit.png

Nicely Developing
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/3640/nazret.png

Chaos
http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/9566/addisabeba.png

abesha

September 25th, 2010, 09:01 PM

:lol::lol::lol:

Simfan34

September 26th, 2010, 04:57 AM

I really do like the message there- addis looks crazy!

Yoniii

September 26th, 2010, 10:17 AM

I think it will be great once we get rid of the slums and proper infrastructure is in place, there is a unique charm to unplanned cities. Crazy as it might sound, I would prefer this before block-cities (NYC style). :)

abesha

October 1st, 2010, 02:59 AM

http://www.diretube.com/ethiopian-news/bole-airport-admin-to-undertake-expanision-with-400m-birr-video_713077879.html

Bole Airport is getting expanded to accommodate double the number of aircraft it can handle simultaneously (currently 19, so post-upgrade, it will be 38).

Simfan34

October 1st, 2010, 03:01 AM

We were right! We are always right.

I also love that guy.

abesha

October 1st, 2010, 03:22 AM

lol, well you were right specifically. They clearly are not planning to move out of Bole anytime soon.

abesha

October 2nd, 2010, 01:49 PM

ONE BLN BIRR AIRPORT EXPANSION PROJECT TO TAKE OFF

Six local contractors bidding to clinch lucrative contract

By Hayal Alemayehu

The Ethiopian Airports Enterprise is set to launch what will become a one-billion birr project involving the expansion of the existing aircraft parking area. According to Shiferaw Alemu, general manager of the enterprise, the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport will accommodate additional 25 planes after the expansion.

The apron currently handles 19 planes of various sizes and types.
Projected to cost about one billion birr, the expansion project incorporates maintaining the existing runway of the airport and optimizing the new passenger terminal officially inaugurated in 2006, according to Shiferaw.

The newly-built passenger terminal facility gave the airport a spacious passenger terminal, a 3,800-m runaway with associated taxiways, a new control tower and safety equipment to bring the hub into line with international standards. The terminal building has been operational since 2003.

Funding for the project came from the African Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the European Investment Bank, the Nordic Development Fund and the Ethiopian government. As a result of the expansion, the annual capacity of the airport has increased from 500,000 passengers in 2001 to several million people.

However, with the number of passengers and airlines operating to and from the airport increasing by the day, the enterprise has been forced to expand the aircraft parking area and optimize the passenger terminal to accommodate more people. In the near future, the enterprise will expand the passenger terminal itself, too, according to Shiferaw.

The expansion project will be carried out in two phases in a bid not to interrupt the operations of the airport, Shiferaw said.

Six local companies are currently bidding to clinch the billion birr project which is expected to commence in the months to come.

The enterprise is expected to announce the winning company which will carry out the construction of the expansion project at the end of next week.http://ethiopianreporter.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1170:one-bln-birr-airport-expansion-project-to-take-off&catid=98:news&Itemid=511

lamrof

October 2nd, 2010, 07:26 PM

^^
ሌላ ሥራ ከመስራት በፊት ማድረግ ያለባቸው ሰራተኞቹን ማሰልጠን ነው። ሁሌ ኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ እንደሚታየው፣ የቦሌ አውሮፕላን ማረፊያ አለምአቀፍ መጠን-ጠበቅ ህንጻ ሆኖ ሳለ፣ ሰራተኞቹ፣ ከአስተዳደሩ ጀምሮ እስከ አጽጂው፣ በሚዘገንን ሁኔታ ተራ ስለሆኑ መጠን-ጠበቅ ግልጋሎት መስጠት አይችሉም። ከአየር መንገዱ ሰራተኞች በቀር ሌሎቹ የአየር ማረፊያዎች አስተዳደር ሰራተኞች መርካቶ ጉልት ከሚሰሩ መንደርተኞች አይሻሉም።

ለምሳሌ መጸዳጃ-ቤት አጽጂዋ አፍንጫዋ ላይ ሻሽ ጠቅልላ ነው የምታጸዳው። ለምን?
የይለፍ ማህተም የምትሰጠው ቤቱን ቆልፋ ሄዳ ከ20 ደቂቃ በኋላ፣ ራሷን በነጠላ ሸፍና ቅርፍፍ እያለች ተፈልጋ መጣች ።
ቀረጥ-ነጻ መሸጫ ውስጥ የምትሸጥ አንዲት ልጅ፣ ጥግ ሄዳ ወንበር ላይ ለጥ ብላ ተኝታ አየኋት።

ይኼ ብቻ ሳይሆን የእርስ በርስ መግባቢያ ሁኔታቸው ልክ እንደጉልት ነው። አንዷ ሌላዋን ስትጠራ፣ ከአዳራሹ አንድ ጎን ትሆንና "እትዬ እንትና" ስትል ላንቃዋ እስኪላቀቅ እየጮኸች ትጣራለች፣ መንገደኛው ግራ እስኪጋባ ድረስ።

አንዴ በክረምት ሄጄ፣ ከውጪ ሲገባ ያለው አጸድ ቦታ ጨፌ እስክ ስው ቁመት ድርስ አድጎ ዝም በለውታል። ለምን አያሳምሩትም፣ አይንከባከቡትም ብዬ ብጠይቅ፣ ወንድሜ ሲመልስልኝ፣ አይ አንተ፣ መልሶ ለሚያድግ ምን አለፋን አያሉ ነው አለኝ። ደግሞም ኢትዮጵያ ስንት ችግር እያለባት ስለዚህ የሚጨነቅ አታገኝም አለኝ። በልቤ፣ ስራ ከሆነና ገንዘብ ከተከፈለበት ላይቀር በትክክሉ ቢሰራ ምናአለበት ብዬ ዝም አልኩ።

Vildana

October 2nd, 2010, 07:49 PM

abesha

October 3rd, 2010, 12:03 AM

VERY true lamrof.

Last time I passed through Addis as a transit passenger, they made me miss my flight because the guy who handles the line at immigration made people who were waaaay in the back come forward ahead of us in the front. I was maybe the 5th person in line, but I ended up with about 50 people in front of me. I tried to explain my flight was being called but he didn't want to hear it.

I went all the way to the immigration head in the airport and filed a complaint. This type of thing should never happen! I let them know that since I am an Ethiopian, I'll always come to Bole. but if a foreigner had to deal with this, they would choose other airports because they don't have any reason to go through Bole.

He seemed to take it seriously at the time and was very apologetic, but he never gave me a follow up as he had promised.

The same trip, my mother was harassed by one of the security guards outside. She found the big boss who was appalled and insisted she take him directly to the guard. We took him there and the guy ripped him a new one.

We also have to understand that for the bosses in the office, it's hard to keep up with what the employees on the ground are doing to passengers. They have to find a way of monitoring them and training them in a more effective way.

yosef

October 21st, 2010, 12:15 AM

Jijiga Airport Terminal and Runway - Construction update
Jijiga, Somali State

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/9473/jig1.png

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/5865/jig2.png

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/1779/jig3.png

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/773/jig4.png

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/215/jig5.png

http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/3772/jig6.png

from the video Yoniii posted in the other thread

Yoniii

November 3rd, 2010, 01:57 PM

Jijiga Airport Design

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/5141070969_a90ba75f70_b.jpg

Simfan34

November 3rd, 2010, 06:33 PM

Jijiga Airport Design

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/5141070969_a90ba75f70_b.jpg

I like the look of this, a bit outdated, but clean and simple.

abesha

November 6th, 2010, 06:21 PM

Civil Aviation Launches Cutting-edge Radar

By Gubae Gundarta

The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority’s Air Traffic Control Division upgraded its locating system from primary surveillance radar to Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR), Automatic Dependent Surveillance-B model.

In an official visitation arranged for media personnel earlier this week, Shimelis Kibreab, who is the Director of Air Traffic Control at the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, told journalists that the new radar replaced the old and procedural equipment with a most advanced system. Adding, he said the new automated structure would alleviate the traffic holdup at the Bole International Airport. With the old control system planes squandered a lot of fuel as they waited in line midair, flying about. According to the director the new radar not only improves the quality of air control at the airport but also enhances air traffic control at national level, thereby safeguarding the sovereignty of the country.

To ensure nationwide presence and coverage, other radars were also installed at Mekelle, Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa, Arbaminch and Gore.

“We used radio communication before, but now the system is computerized. No airplane will cross our aerial boundaries without permission because every plane shall be identified before it does,” Shimelis emphasized. Moreover the director also indicated that landing service provision can be expanded making it possible for aircrafts from other countries to make transit landing. This in turn creates an opportunity for earning foreign currency.

It was learned on the occasion that the radar was manufactured by an Italian company named SELEX with a total cost of 7.5 million dollars. http://www.newsdire.com/news/1419-ethiopia-civil-aviation-launches-cutting-edge-radar.html

venezian

November 6th, 2010, 10:46 PM

awesome!!!!^^^^^^^^

dorzew

December 2nd, 2010, 07:33 AM

Best African airport award 2010 given to the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

The Addis Ababa Bole International Airport received African Airlines Association "Airport of the Year". the airport general manager said.
The award was given to the airport for its exceptional and outstanding services to the African Airlines Industry, the Manager, Hailay Gebretsadik told ENA on Wednesday.
The airport received the award at a ceremony held here on Tuesday at the United Nations Conference Center.
The Bole Airport had already been elected “better African airport” in 2007 during the 17th annual conference of the African aviation that took place in Cairo.
The manager said the award shows how the airport is dedicated to the African airlines industry.

venezian

December 2nd, 2010, 05:20 PM

get em!

Simfan34

December 2nd, 2010, 05:56 PM

Best African airport award 2010 given to the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

They're kidding, right? No way, Bole is terrible!

AM2

December 2nd, 2010, 11:44 PM

They're kidding, right? No way, Bole is terrible!
Come on Simfan, it's not that bad :) Especially compared to other African airports ...

dorzew

December 3rd, 2010, 02:31 AM

You are right AM2. I think, the ethiopian airlines fast growing helped the bole international airport to be the best in africa. When we see kenyan airport and Egyptian airport, they are two of the worst airports in africa. Everywhere in the airport you go, you can be asked by employees to give them some money. In kenya airport, security guys will tell you that your visa is fake when they want to dig out some dollar from your pocket (especially if you are an african traveler). Corruption there is so outrageous. I don't know about south africans airports, however, I think Bole deserves the award when you compare to these two high competitors and other african airports though.

dorzew

December 3rd, 2010, 02:38 AM

Sorry I made a mistake and submited twice. The system doesn't allow me to delete it

lamrof

December 3rd, 2010, 03:05 AM

Bole airport specially the airside is very attractive. I see 2 issues, one is its kind of small, two the entrance leaves much to desire. The foreground lawn was terribly over grown last time I was there, the visa room is setup badly and the workers in general need to be trained to some degree of professionalism.

venezian

December 3rd, 2010, 04:49 AM

They're kidding, right? No way, Bole is terrible!

it tells the other airports are far worse than that.

dorzew

December 7th, 2010, 12:58 AM

Enterprise to undertake 460 mln Birr expansion project at Bole Int’l Airport
Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (EAE) said it will undertake 460 million Birr expansion project at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to increase the number of aircraft parking capacity to 43 from just 18 now.
EAE Public Relations Head, Wondim Teklu told ENA that the expansion project will be carried out on more than 80 hectares of land within the coming two years.Wondim said the expansion project will address the air traffic congestion due to the overwhelming increase in the number of international traffic.
He said the expansion will also help Ethiopian to accommodate the new Boeing aircrafts coming to the system.
The head said the increase in the international traffic shows that the Bole International Airport is increasingly becoming a preferred hub in the region.
Wondim said during the first phase of the project 15 parking areas would be constructed in this Ethiopian budget year while the remaining parking areas will be contracted in 2004 EC.
The head said government will cover the full cost of the expansion project.

http://www.ena.gov.et/EnglishNews/2010/Dec/05Dec10/127818.htm

Simfan34

December 14th, 2010, 06:52 PM

(http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1502:crbc-set-to-clinch-12-bln-birr-airport-expansion-project&catid=98:news&Itemid=511)CRBC set to clinch 1.2 bln birr airport expansion project

http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/english/images/resized/images/stories/webpics/744-airport_200_153.jpg (http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/english/images/stories/webpics/744-Airport.jpg)

Latest bid stirs controversy

By Hayal Alemayehu

CRBC Addis, a subsidiary of the China Road and Bridge Corporation, is set to clinch the expansion project of the Addis Ababa Bole Airport involving the expansion of the existing aircraft parking area.
After it was invited to participate in the second round restricted bid following the cancellation of the original tender, CRBC is set to be imminently announced as the winner of the project offering 1.18 billion birr, the least amount compared to the financial proposals of the other three contenders - two other Chinese companies and one local construction firm, Sur Construction - according to informed sources.

The latest bid, which came after the client of the project – Ethiopian Airports Enterprise – cancelled the original bid, was opened Monday. Subsequently, the four bidders, some of whom took part in the earlier bid as well, were notified that CRBC Addis had submitted the least offer.

As the latest bid was a restricted bid, there will be no technical evaluation, according to informed sources from the enterprise. The committee assigned to oversee the bid process, however, will check whether of the financial proposals of the companies conform with the details of the bill of quantities of the bid document.

The latest restricted bid has, however, stirred controversy amongst prominent players in the construction industry which participated in the original bid.

The enterprise cancelled the original tender it floated about three months ago after six companies including CRBC participated in it and three of them, CRBC, DMC and Satcon, made it to the final countdown. With those contenders who failed to make it to the final three filing complaints to the enterprise that “the short-listing process was not transparent,” the enterprise after a while terminated the tender all together on the ground that it was not satisfied even with the technical proposals of three runner-ups according, to informed sources close to the expansion project.

A couple of weeks latter, the enterprise floated a restricted bid to which “ideal companies” that were considered to be fit for the job were invited to participate.

Though CRBC offered about 1.2 billion birr to undertake the project, other companies which participated in the original bid had offered less than one billion, according to informed sources. The financial proposals of the original bid were, unfortunately, not opened as the bid committee was not done with the technical proposals in the first place, according to the sources.

While the aircraft parking area in front of the new terminal currently accommodate 17 planes, the newly built apron will accommodate additional 25 aircraft after the expansion, Shiferaw Alemu, general manager of the enterprise, told The Reporter earlier on.

The expansion project incorporates the maintenance of the existing runway of the airport and optimizing the new passenger terminal, which is being crowded with the steadily increasing number of passengers and airlines operating to and from the airport.

..

aviaconsulting

January 6th, 2011, 04:12 PM

Ahadu

January 6th, 2011, 09:37 PM

Hallo. Does anybody have some info regarding the Tender for Consultancy Services for the Design Review and Implementation of Refurbishment Works of the new pax terminal of Bole Int. Airport? Looking forward, Thank you

^^
You can contact the Ethiopian Business Development Services Network (EBDSN).

e-mail
info@bds-ethiopia.net

For all tender related info, check their site here:
http://bds-ethiopia.net/tenders.html

Home
http://bds-ethiopia.net/index.html

Good Luck!

aviaconsulting

January 6th, 2011, 09:58 PM

Thanks a lot.
As we are interested in this tender I was guessing if plan and other relevant architectural dwgs of the New Pax International Terminal - object of this tender - are available in order to examine the existing proposed schemes. Thank you very much for any additional info.

aviaconsulting

January 8th, 2011, 10:08 PM

Hallo!
Regarding the tender for the refurbishment works of New International Pax Terminal of Addis Ababa Bole Airport, we are looking for relevant dwgs and schemes of the existing structures for implementing our proposal. Is there anybody who can provide such info? looking forward, thank you very much

yosef

January 16th, 2011, 05:18 PM

Gulf Air to fly to Addis

by Hayal Alemayehu

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, is scheduled to launch its maiden flight to Addis Ababa next Wednesday. Three years after it entered a code sharing pact with Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air will start flying to Addis beginning Wednesday, thereby maximizing the benefit of the code sharing agreement between the two parties. Pursuant to the code sharing agreement, the two carriers have been opening up routes and services to each other in their respective networks since July 1, 2007.

The coming of Gulf Air to Ethiopia will boost the benefits accruing from the code sharing agreement between the two airlines while at the same time making the competition for Ethiopian from Gulf carriers stronger, according to an expert in the aviation industry.

Gulf Air had been the major carrier in the Middle East region several years ago before Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Oman Air - all of which branched out from it - were established.

The airline used to belong to Dubai, Oman, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain before they established their own carriers.

Gulf Air will be flying to Addis five times a week, according to informed sources.

The company is scheduled to call a press conference here next Thursday to announce its newly launched operation plan, a day after its maiden flight to Addis.

Girma Wake, the former CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, worked at Gulf Air for eight years before rejoining Ethiopian.

Source (http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1668:gulf-air-to-fly-to-addis&catid=98:news&Itemid=511)

yosef

January 16th, 2011, 06:56 PM

Tax Auth. Gets First Shipment Security Scanners
CCTV's in the nations international airports

The first 14 security machines out of a total of 51 machines ordered at a cost of 30 million dollars by the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA) from Nuctech, a Chinese company specialising in the research and development of security inspection technology, arrived two weeks ago.

[...]

(excerpt about airports)
The CCTV cameras and x-ray machines are to be distributed among Bole International, Mekelle, Bahir Dar, and Dire Dawa airports.

“Bahir Dar and Dire Dawa airports are scheduled to start exporting goods directly, which requires these machines to be installed there,” Solomon told Fortune.

Source (http://www.addisfortune.com/Tax%20Auth.%20Gets%20First%20Shipment%20Security%20Scanners.htm)

xJamaax

January 17th, 2011, 08:09 PM

Bole Airport looks nice, I wish we built something like that in Kenya.

abesha

January 20th, 2011, 06:52 PM

Gulf Air inaugural flight touches down in Addis Ababa

Gulf Air has added Addis Ababa to its growing network with the launch of non-stop scheduled flights to the Ethiopian capital.

The carrier’s inaugural flight GF 0705 from Bahrain touched down at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport yesterday evening with a high-level delegation onboard that included airline representatives and members of the media from the Middle East, led by the airline’s chief executive officer Samer Majali.

Addis Ababa is Gulf Air’s second route during the first month of the year, following the commencement of service to Isfahan in Iran. The historic city of Addis Ababa expands Gulf Air’s global network to 47 global destinations covering Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Asia.

The airline will operate four flights a week on the Addis Ababa route, using an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration of 16 seats in Falcon Gold and 120 in Economy and has capacity to carry 4 tons of freight.

Gulf Air also announced an expanded codeshare agreement with Ethiopian Airlines. The agreement offers Gulf Air and Ethiopian Airlines passengers the choice to fly with either airline on routes between Bahrain and Addis Ababa, giving customers a choice of 16 flights per week on this route. An extension of the codeshare agreement to onward flights from Bahrain to Middle Eastern and Asian destinations as well as from Addis Ababa to destinations in Eastern and Central Africa is already under discussion.

Majali said: “We are delighted to commence services to Addis Ababa. We believe Ethiopia offers tremendous opportunities for entrepreneurs and businessmen from Bahrain and the Middle East and that Bahrain offers unlimited business opportunities for the Ethiopian market. We are confident this new route will be a success for both our passenger and cargo operations, and we look forward to facilitating business and leisure traffic between the two countries and beyond.”

“Gulf Air operates the largest network in the Middle East with non-stop flights as well as seamless onward connections to other international destinations, connecting 47 cities in 30 countries. That combined with today’s codeshare agreement with Ethiopian Airlines will ensure that passengers have an extensive range of travel options.”

Tewolde G. Mariam, chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines said: “Ethiopian Airlines welcomes Gulf Air to Addis Ababa and we look forward to a long-term collaboration and business partnership.”

“As the pioneer in the development of the African commercial aviation industry, Ethiopian’s unwavering commitment to bring African nations closer to each other and the continent ever closer to the world continues unabated. Currently, Ethiopian provides dependable services to 39 cities in Africa and a total of 60 international destinations spanning throughout four continents.” http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/article.php?section=route-planning-and-tourism&article=gulf-air-inaugural-flight-touches-down-in-addis-ababa&utm_source=googleNews&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=news_feed

Liones

January 28th, 2011, 04:09 AM

Ethiopia aviation industry keeps growing annually.
News and Articles on Ethiopian Aviation. If there is a thread already on this issue, mod please go ahead and delete the thread.

Liones

January 28th, 2011, 04:12 AM

Ethiopia increases cooperation with Lufthansa
(eTN) - Information received from Addis Ababa indicates that Ethiopian Airlines (ET) and Lufthansa (LH) last week signed an initial 5-year deal for the introduction and use of LH’s Lido/Take Off Performance Solution into the ET flight operations. Substantial savings are expected to be generated, but this latest deal between the two airlines underscores the already existing close cooperation and, in fact, further intensifies it.

Both airlines fly in codesshare from Frankfurt ten times a week to Addis Ababa, and the Lufthansa flight number then extends to a large and growing number of regional destinations in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa. Towards that end, ET has introduced double daily frequencies to key airports to permit seamless connections, both ways, for travelers using the joint flights from and to Frankfurt.

It is understood from a Lufthansa source that this close cooperation is in fact showing growing success in terms of passenger numbers and cargo uplifted on the long-haul flights and beyond. Ethiopian Airlines will be joining the global industry leader Star Alliance later in 2011 and expects added benefits from becoming a full member of the world’s most far reaching aviation cooperation.
http://www.eturbonews.com/files/imagecache/fullpage/art-1_black_rectangle_0.jpg

yosef

February 8th, 2011, 09:10 PM

U.S. Air Force Upgrades Arba Minch to Int’l Airport

The US Air Force is upgrading Arba Minch Airport, which serves as a domestic airport in Southern Regional State, after signing an agreement with the Ethiopian government, in November 2010, reliable diplomatic sources disclosed to Fortune.

Located five kilometres from the town’s centre, the airport first become operational in November 1998. It has a runway dimension of 2,800 metres by 45 metres, but lacks crucial facilities such as fire fighting equipment, aeronautical MET, and air traffic services are not available. However, it can land aircraft the size of a Boeing 737.

The US Air Force is extending the runway and upgrading the airport to international standards with modern facilities, according to these diplomatic sources. When completed, the upgraded airport, one of 12 airports in Ethiopia of which four are international, will have the capacity to land a Boeing C-17 Globemaster, a large military transport aircraft that has been developed for the US Air Force since the beginning of the 1980s.

http://addisfortune.com/Us%20Air%20Force%20Upgrades%20Arba%20Minch%20to%20Int%E2%80%99l%20Airport.htm

abesha

February 8th, 2011, 09:13 PM

Why is the US Air Force involved?? :sly:

yosef

February 8th, 2011, 09:15 PM

^^no idea to be honest :dunno: , lol

AM2

February 8th, 2011, 10:17 PM

Wow ... what's the USAF doing in Arba Minch?? Maybe they're setting up a US base there ... Knowing the ethio govt, they'll only tell people at the last possible second if the US were to set up a base in Ethiopia. There was actually a lot of talk a few years ago that the US was going to move it's African Command from Germany to Ethiopia ... maybe that's happening?

Yoniii

February 8th, 2011, 10:53 PM

I can't see a reason for their involvement, but an American base in Ethiopia just sounds unlikely, even for this government. They already got Djibouti, why another base so close?

AM2

February 8th, 2011, 11:36 PM

^^ Maybe they're sick of the heat in Djibouti? :) Here's a paragraph from wiki:
"The Sudan Tribune considered it likely that Ethiopia, a strong U.S. ally in the region, will house USAFRICOM's headquarters due to the collocation of AFRICOM with the African Union's developing peace and security apparatus.[29] Prime Minister Meles Zenawi stated in early November that Ethiopia would be willing to work together closely with USAFRICOM.[30] This was further reinforced when a U.S. Air Force official said on December 5, 2007, that Addis Ababa was likely to be the headquarters.[31]"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Africa_Command
Ethiopia hosted an american military base (Kagnew) for 30 years, until it closed down in 1975. So there's precedence here; I wouldn't be surprised if the US opened up a new base in Ethiopia once more.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagnew_Station

Yoniii

February 9th, 2011, 12:44 AM

I'm having mixed feelings about this. Only good thing is that it might benefit Arba Minch economically, but the Americans aren't known for using local resources that much either. This will be a huge blow politically for Meles both within Ethiopia and Africa in general.

abesha

February 9th, 2011, 12:51 AM

Yeah I don't want them there either. There are already rumors that they do have a presence in the country and this won't help.
Besides, those in Djibouti come to Addis quite a bit already from what I've seen, and that's enough economically.

AM2

February 9th, 2011, 01:25 AM

Why do you guys think a US presence in ethio is bad? I think it will be good, both for the local economy and for Ethiopia in general. This will mean a strenghtening of the Ethiopian army and air force, through training, intelligence exchange, better hardware, etc. Small time husslers like Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia will have to think twice before trying to attack Ethiopia. Same goes for middle eastern countries who've always seen Ethiopia as the enemy (Saudi and Iran). I think it will be excellent for Ethiopia. We don't have to hide our friendship with the US.

Yoniii

February 9th, 2011, 02:13 AM

ja'far

February 9th, 2011, 02:28 AM

Ahadu

February 9th, 2011, 05:52 AM

Why do you guys think a US presence in ethio is bad?

Thanks & good Q!
I don't think Yoniii & abesha have a satisfactory answer for that tho.

... but I don't see the need for having American soldiers on our soil, it's a sign of weakness in my opinion.
Yoniii
What kind of training without US Marine & their metal on the ground?:)

Is a 80 million strong country going to fear Eritrea (started a war in 98, gained nothing from it, I don't think they will do the same mistake again), Somalia (a country that's busy with it's own problems) and Sudan (a friendly neighbor), no way.

America's attempt to get a base in Ethiopia is not to protect us from Eritrea.
&
Don't put your trust on the North Sudan. Without their help, Jebha & Shabia would have been history by now. Besides, haven't you heard that there might be a possible political and economic integration of the two i.e. The North Sudan and Egypt?

I'm also afraid that it will distance us even further in our process of developing a democratic society. This government will be strengthen, and any democratic movement within the country will be totally ignored in the name of "stability" in the region.

Yoniii,
"EPRDF is already strong". It's been in Ethiopia for the last 35 years. It doesn't need Yankee’s junk. If you are deemed to be a threat to EPRDF, whether Americans are there or not, you shall vegetate at Qaliti prison until you say Sorry/YeQerta :lol:.........WOYANE doesn't give a shiiit........that's the first step and fact to admit. Which, unfortunately, most opposition groups tend to forget & under estimate the reality (taking the bull by the horn takes you nowhere except disaster!!).

There are already rumors that they do have a presence in the country and this won't help.
How?
Come on abesha...I thought you know everything. They have already a base in Harar with their own air strip.

I say YES to the American base at 40 Minch!

Hersh

February 9th, 2011, 10:07 PM

:sly:

Uh...why do you guys have a problem with the US having a base in Ethiopia?

Is this another liberal US Military bogyman that always springs up in any discussion of American foreign policy?

The United States has bases in Germany, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, South Korea, Italy et al. What do these countries have in common, if you don't mind me asking?

Hersh

February 9th, 2011, 10:11 PM

abesha

February 9th, 2011, 10:14 PM

Hersh

February 9th, 2011, 10:15 PM

I am all for strengthening our friendship with military excises and cooperation, but I don't see the need for having American soldiers on our soil, it's a sign of weakness in my opinion. Is a 80 million strong country going to fear Eritrea (started a war in 98, gained nothing from it, I don't think they will do the same mistake again), Somalia (a country that's busy with it's own problems) and Sudan (a friendly neighbor), no way. Nigeria and South Africa are against the idea of having this base anywhere on the continent, I wouldn't want to go against the two most important countries in SSA.
Uh...

I'm also afraid that it will distance us even further in our process of developing a democratic society. This government will be strengthen, and any democratic movement within the country will be totally ignored in the name of "stability" in the region.

That's just silly. There is no precedence of this. Refer to the list of countries I listed to see if there has been any truth to your fear in those countries.

The US having a military base has nothing to do with whether or not the US supports the silencing of democratic voices in the name of "stability." There is no historical precedence for this. What happened when Mengistu came to power?

Hersh

February 9th, 2011, 10:20 PM

lol @ hoe moves

My opposition is because we have enough problems as it is with neighboring countries without the US' direct and visible presence on our soil. I don't want our politics to be completely hijacked by American foreign policy.

I understand your concern, but practically speaking, the potential petulance that might arise from this, vis a vis regional relations, is nothing that will have any real impact on the success of Ethiopia.

Countries like South Korea, Japan and others have had unfriendly neighbors. Yet nevertheless their success wasn't hampered by the presence of the US; if anything, it's been enhanced.

Yoniii

February 9th, 2011, 11:41 PM

Uh...

That's just silly. There is no precedence of this. Refer to the list of countries I listed to see if there has been any truth to your fear in those countries.

The US having a military base has nothing to do with whether or not the US supports the silencing of democratic voices in the name of "stability." There is no historical precedence for this. What happened when Mengistu came to power?
I'm thinking that there might be some consequences politically within Africa/AU if several countries (specifically big states like Nigeria & South Africa) are strictly against the base.

I'm not so sure about that. I can easily see a US government (specially under Republican mandate) that would rather silence a democratic movement than risk total chaos in the horn, considering the fear for Islamic extremism which didn't exist before.

Simfan34

February 10th, 2011, 08:51 PM

lol @ hoe moves

My opposition is because we have enough problems as it is with neighboring countries without the US' direct and visible presence on our soil. I don't want our politics to be completely hijacked by American foreign policy.

Just because the US is basing some planes in Arba Minch doesn't now mean they are best buds with Meles, and even if they were, look how Carter jettisoned Iran. I'd be more worried about China.

yosef

February 10th, 2011, 11:57 PM

Looks like there maybe a plan to connect Bole terminal 1 and the terminal 2. Not sure if this is part of the expansion they recently launched or not (I know they were supposed to expand the parking aprons), but found it on the website Yoniii posted:

http://i55.tinypic.com/2latyly.jpg

abesha

February 23rd, 2011, 12:58 AM

Enterprise to Spend 801m Br on Airport Upgrades

The Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (EAE) is planning to begin upgrading and building passenger terminals in addition to aprons (ramps) consisting of hangars and runways, at a total cost of around 801 million Br, this fiscal year.

The projects are being carried out at airports in Addis Abeba, Mekelle, Bahir Dar, Jimma, Assosa, Jijjiga, Kombolcha, Shire, Shilabo, and Kebredhar, according to Wondim Teklu, head of Public Relations and Communications for the EAE.

The largest will be the 450 million Br expansion of the apron at Bole International Airport. The first phase, a hangar expected to house 10 airplanes, is due to be completed by July, according to Wondim.

The construction of the second phase, which will accommodate up to 15 airplanes, is expected to start immediately following that of the first phase and is to be finished by July 2012, according to Wondim.

The construction of both phases has been contracted to China Construction and Building Company (CRBC).

Another construction project planned to commence this year is a 45 million Br cold store at Alula Abanega International Airport in Mekelle, located 770km north of Addis Abeba; the construction has been contracted to Geerlofs Construction Co, from the Netherlands, and is slated for completion by February 2012, Wondim claimed.

The Ginbot 20 International Airport project in Bahir Dar, located 477km north of the capital, will see the construction of a passenger terminal and a cold store with a combined capital of 150 million Br, according to Wondim.

The construction of the passenger terminal, at a cost of 105 million Br, was awarded to Satcon Construction Co Plc The first phase is slated for completion between July and September 2012, to be followed immediately by the second phase, an electromechanical project by Celtic Electrical Co, also based in the Netherlands, according to the public relations head.

The cold store is being constructed at a cost of 45 million Br, to be covered by the EAE, and is expected to be finished in two months’ time, the public relations head said.

The construction of a passenger terminal at a cost of 103 million Br, covered by the EAE, and an apron of 195 million Br, funded by the federal government, at Jimma Airport, located 346km southwest of the capital, will be done by Yirgalem Construction Co and Varnero Construction Co, respectively, according to Wondim.

Akir Construction Co started the construction of a passenger terminal at Assosa Airport, located 675km northwest of Addis Abeba, in February 2010. It is expected to cost 92 million Br and be finished by February 2012. It is then that the electromechanical phase, at a projected cost of 45 million Br, will start, Wondim told Fortune.

Located 628km east of the capital, the Jijjiga Airport entails a passenger terminal being constructed by Asmelash & Sons Construction Plc at a total cost of 102 million Br, according to Wondim.

Kombolcha, located 376km from Addis Abeba, is the newest of the EAE’s 18 airports. The enterprise administers 15 airports, of which four are international; and two airstrips, in Pawe, Beninshangul Regional State, and Semera Town, Afar Regional State.

Akir Construction Co started construction of an 80-seat passenger terminal and a runway that can accommodate Q400 Bombardier and Focker airplanes, in October 2010, according to Wondim.

Upon its completion, the project, which is expected to be finished within 15 months at a cost 45 million Br, will cater to investors whose activities in the area are increasing rapidly, Wondim told Fortune.

“We have given the local people, displaced by the project ,51 million Br in compensation,” he said.

The smallest planned projects are renovation and improvement works to be done at airstrips in Shire Endasilassie, located 1,087km north of Addis Abeba, in Tigray Regional State; as well as Shilabo, located 1,140km southeast of the capital; and

Kebridhar, located 1,032km southeast of the city; both in Somali Regional State, according to the public relations head.

Shire and Shilabo airstrips are being renovated by the enterprise, while Kebredhar’s is being done by Sur Construction Co, said Wondim.

Upon their completion, these airstrips will likely be able to accommodate even more passengers from the eight domestic and several international airlines that have operating licences. The domestic airlines are Ethiopian Airlines (ET), Abyssinia Flight Service, Trans Nation Airways (TNA), Sura Airways, Amebera Agricultural Pesticide Service, Teddy Air Transport, Aberdair Aviation Plc, and National Airways, a recent entrant to the market.

National Airways is in the process of starting to operate flights, according to Demisse Gizaw, director of Air Operator Certification and Surveillance at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).http://addisfortune.com/Enterprise%20to%20Spend%20801m%20Br%20on%20Airport%20Upgrades.htm

abesha

February 23rd, 2011, 01:16 AM

List of airport projects - completion dates in parentheses when available:

Bole International Airport:
- expansion of the apron; 450 million ETB
- phase I: hangar to house 10 planes, (July 2011)
- phase II: expand for 15 additional planes (July 2012)

Kombolcha:
- construction of passenger terminal;
- construction of runway; combined cost of 45 million ETB (May 2012)

Jimma:
- construction of a passenger terminal; 103 million ETB
- construction of an apron; 195 million ETB

Bahir Dar:
- phase I: construction of a passenger terminal; 105 million ETB (July-Sept 2012)
- phase II: electromechanical project (start in kiremt 2012)
- construction of a cold store; 45 million ETB (April 2011)

Assosa:
- phase I: construction of a passenger terminal; 92 million ETB (Feb 2012)
- phase II: electromechanical project; 45 million ETB (start in Feb 2012)

Arba Minch:
- upgrading of runway
- upgrading of facilities (fire fighting equipment, aeronautical MET, and air traffic services)

Mekelle: construction of cold store; 45 million ETB (February 2012)
Jijiga: construction of passenger terminal; 102 million ETB
Kebridehar: renovation and improvement works
Shilabo: renovation and improvement works
Shire: renovation and improvement works

Yoniii

February 23rd, 2011, 02:08 AM

:applause: great news.

Simfan34

February 23rd, 2011, 02:25 AM

Skyliner123

February 26th, 2011, 01:39 AM

http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/arch_student_images/5/Site-Plan.jpg

Construction and Consultant Information
School Name: Howard University
Completion Date: 0000-00-00
Concept: An Ethiopian Airport based on the organization of a traditional Ethiopian village. Labibela is a historic building hewn from a rock on the mid 14th Century. It was built downward into the ground at a time when Gothic Churches which pointed to the sky inspired western church architecture. Ethiopian church architecture was built toward the Earth looking down to the source, the origin. That downward movement - influenced by gravity - was the main form generator, a form that causes people to look down.

http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/arch_student_images/5/Section-showing-Air-Flow-through-Terminal.jpg
http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/arch_student_images/5/Enlarged-Sectional-Elevation.jpg

http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/arch_student_images/5/Side-Elevation.jpg

http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/arch_student_images/5/Organization-System-Study.jpgSite Area:
Built Area:
Materials:
Planning:

http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/arch-stud-projects.php?id=5
Design Philosophy:
The architecture of sub-cultures of Ethiopia was used as the organizing element for the design of the Airport Terminal. The name for traditional houses in Addis Ababa is Tukul. The architecture of the tukul consists of a cone shaped roof supported by a main structural column at its center. Sheltered walkways connect the main tukul with open verandahs, cattle barns and small spaces for food storage. The organization of spaces for the Terminal is based on the traditional Ethiopian village and hopes to become an expression of a true gateway to Ethiopia.

http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/arch_student_images/5/Lower-Floor.jpg

http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/arch_student_images/5/Enlarged-Arrival-Floor-Plan.jpg

http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/arch_student_images/5/Upper-Floor.jpg
Project Information
Name of Project: Airport Terminal in Addis Ababa
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Project Type: Airport Terminal
Student Information
Student Name:
Name of School: Howard University
Email Address:
Contact Name:
Country Name: USA/ Ethiopia

http://www.architecturecaribbean.com/arch-stud-projects.php?id=5

Simfan34

February 26th, 2011, 01:59 AM

:shocked: Speechless! The Ethiopia of our dreams is becoming real before our very eyes.

Skyliner123

February 26th, 2011, 02:06 AM

Simfan,

Sources have told me that a different type of design has been chosen over this one for the future expansion of the airport terminals at Bole. I will post if I get my hands on it.

EriFly

February 26th, 2011, 02:41 AM

Holy Shit.... I wasnt expecting this at all. Forget the apron expansion... haha where would the New Terminal be located? Next to the other 'new one' or away? Great Design.Congrats Ethiopia.
@Skyliner i look forward to seeing the 'real' render.

abesha

February 26th, 2011, 02:50 AM

I don't understand the render, I think I'm a bit tired lol.

Skyliner, I'd love to see the real one. So I'm assuming this one was in the running? I had no idea there was even a competition.

Great find! Thanks for the good work ;)

Yoniii

February 26th, 2011, 03:04 AM

The new one must be amazing if they skipped this one.

Skyliner123

February 26th, 2011, 04:26 AM

Yonii,

I have not seen the other designs but I hope it won't be like Ghion II

Hersh

February 26th, 2011, 06:51 AM

The new one must be amazing if they skipped this one.

I wouldn't be so sure. In fact I'd go out on a limb and bet the opposite to be true.

Did you forget this (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1206423) ?

dorzew

February 26th, 2011, 07:32 AM

hope, they will not desapoint us for this one. I almost was filled with tears when I see the render of the chosen design for ghion. The design is terrible!!!

Yoniii

February 26th, 2011, 02:40 PM

I wouldn't be so sure. In fact I'd go out on a limb and bet the opposite to be true.

Did you forget this (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1206423) ?

You've got a point, lets pray for a better judgement this time around.

Simfan34

February 26th, 2011, 05:22 PM

I wouldn't be so sure. In fact I'd go out on a limb and bet the opposite to be true.

Did you forget this (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1206423) ?

Hopefully the fact that the government is in charge of this will make this our chances better, but I thought the same thing. I did some research into that plan, and it perhaps wasn't even a real plan, just a study by a student. Likely it will go to some Chinese firm, and they'll concoct something decent.

But I still like my plan. :lol:

http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/5853/top1bmp.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/544/topbmpf.jpg

musiccity

February 26th, 2011, 05:55 PM

^^
Simfan34 is that your design?
Its very good

Simfan34

February 26th, 2011, 06:08 PM

^^
Simfan34 is that your design?
Its very good

Yes, yes it is. Thank you!

yosef

March 26th, 2011, 05:16 PM

Video updates on Addis Ababa & Bahir Dar airport upgrades (Amharic):

http://www.ethiotube.net/video/13213/ETV-News--Addis-Ababa--Bahir-Dar-Airports-being-expanded

^^ Its basically saying the most difficult part of the Addis Ababa expansion work is complete and the work should allow the airport to handle 45 airplanes at a time (landing & gateways). Project expected to take 2 years. The Bahir Dar runways were upgraded already and the expansion terminal is u/c. They have constructed a cold store already at the airport to handle perishable goods.

venezian

March 31st, 2011, 12:15 AM

Good progress.. Wonder if ill see any changes when I go back next year.

Sent from my iPad using SSC Forums

enkelfam

May 15th, 2011, 03:36 AM

Samsung clinches multi-million birr Airport project

. Set to establish electronic academy in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (EAE) has selected Samsung—the South Korean electronics goods and gadgets manufacturer—to install videos at the interior walls of the recently built passenger terminal at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

The multi-million birr project is aimed at providing the airport with a state-of-the-art facility to greet its customers and announce flight statements as modern terminals around the globe do, according to George Ferreira, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Samsung Electronics for Africa.

Samsung, which secured the project award recently, is in the meantime in under preparations to establish an electronic engineering academy in Addis Ababa, the COO told journalists from east Africa during a Q and A session at the Samsung Conference 2011 held in Nairobi this week.

“We have been conducting feasibility studies to identify some African countries we shall establish electronics academies,” Ferreira said. “Ethiopia will be one of the few countries where will establish an electronics engineering academy.”

“If all goes according plan,” the COO said, “we might probably launch the project next year.”

According to Ferreira, Samsung envisioned to produce 10,000 electronics engineers from Africa in the coming five years, who are expected to take care of Samsung’s production operations in Africa.

Samsung is geared forward to producing electronic goods and gadgets (including TVs, mobile phones and related products) tailored for Africa as the theme of Samsung Conference 2011 goes: Built in Africa, for Africa, by Africa.

Samsung representatives for Africa have introduced scores of high tech electronics goods and gadgets some of which employ the latest Nano Technology.

http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/english/news/309-news/1724-samsung-clinches-multi-million-birr-airport-project

Ras Siyan

May 15th, 2011, 12:27 PM

Interesting stuff...

Ahadu

May 15th, 2011, 09:47 PM

Samsung clinches multi-million birr Airport project

. Set to establish electronic academy in Ethiopia

http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/english/news/309-news/1724-samsung-clinches-multi-million-birr-airport-project

^^^^

NEWS by Ethiopian Reporter can't be trusted. Editor Amare Aregawi is a liar and an over-hyping journalist.

enkelfam

May 16th, 2011, 12:20 AM

^^^^

NEWS by Ethiopian Reporter can't be trusted. Editor Amare Aregawi is a liar and an over-hyping journalist.

Well we have to take what we have got, its not like we have the likes of NPR, CSPAN or new york times in Ethiopia. I am not a journalist, but I feel pretty good about Ethiopian reporter comparing to walta, aigaforum, ethiopian review, ... etc all whom come off clearly as an advocate working for 'their' side.

abnet

July 2nd, 2011, 08:24 PM

Well another news from the Reporter :lol:

Boeing asks permission to conduct B747-8 test flights

Saturday, 02 July 2011 07:26
By KALEYESUS BEKELE

[Capt. Solomon Gizaw expressed his remorse on the status quo]

Capt. Solomon Gizaw expressed his remorse on the status quo

- Private airlines demand air liberalisation

The American aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, has asked the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for landing rights for its new Boeing 747-8 jetliner.

A senior official with CAA said that executives of Boeing want to conduct a high-altitude test at the Addis Ababa airport. Accordingly, the executives recently came to Addis Ababa and requested permission to do so. However, the authority did not accept the request. The authority told executives of Boeing that the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise is undertaking a massive airport expansion project at the Bole International Airport, adding that there was a congestion due to the ongoing construction work. “There is already a congestion and if we allow this huge aircraft to conduct the flight test here it would create a havoc,” a senior official at CAA said. “And if something goes wrong, it would tarnish our image,” he added.

The Ethiopian Airport Enterprise last year launched the Addis Ababa airport expansion program. A Chinese construction firm is building the ramps at a cost of two billion birr. According to the enterprise, the expansion project would be finalised after five months.

Officials of the CAA told executives of Boeing that they could do the flight test after the expansion project is finalised. Airframers prefer Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for its high altitude. Engine performance is usually tested at high altitude. In October 2006 Airbus conducted a flight test for its A380 in Addis Ababa. The biggest commercial aircraft, A380, was again here in Addis Ababa in 2009 upon its return from the Dubai Airshow.

Boeing’s latest airliner to fly, the 747-8 Intercontinental, last April began its flight test programme with take-off on its maiden flight from Paine Field in Everett, Washington State. The new 747-8 Intercontinental, painted in a vivid orange-and-white livery with grey and gold striping, made its debut at the Paris Airshow held from June 20-26.

With planned 380 seats, the B747-8 has a least price of 317 million dollars. Lufthansa is the launch customer of the new jetliner with 20 firm orders. The flight test programme will have 600 hours planned to be finalised at the end of this year.
In a related news, the local private airlines on Thursday asked the government to lift the aviation regulation that prohibits private airlines not to operate aircraft with more than a 20-seat capacity. In a consultative meeting CAA organised with stakeholders on Thursday, CEOs of companies involved in the general aviation business fiercely criticised the government’s failure not to remove the ban imposed on the type of aircraft private airlines can operate.

Capt. Solomon Gizaw, owner and managing director of Abyssinia Flight Services, wondered how long this protectionist law would be in place. “Do you know why the governments put the 20-seat limit? It is to protect Ethiopian Airlines. We all like the national flag carrier. But how long will it be protected?” Capt. Solomon asked.

For many years operating private airline was not allowed. Fourteen years ago, the Ministry of Transport and Communication, led by the late Minister Ayenew Bitewlegn, introduced the law that prohibits private airlines not use an aircraft with more than 20 seats. Ethiopian had a 20-seater aircraft, DH6 that it used on domestic aircraft. So far Ethiopian is the only airline that provides scheduled domestic fligths.

Capt. Abera Lemi, owner and CEO of National Airways, said that it has been years since it was reported that the law would be revised. “We can not provide scheduled domestic flight services with an aircraft which has 20 seats. The flight fare collected from 20 passengers cannot cover the fuel cost. We can not be profitable with 20 seaters. Why is it taking so long to revoke the law?” According to Capt. Abera, Ethiopian used to fly to 54 destinations in the country but this has dropped to 16. “We can fill this service gap if we are allowed to operate the type of aircraft that we want," he said.

Another private airline CEO said that he should be allowed to use a 200 seater if there is the market. “The government has built several new airports but they are not being utilised because the private airlines are not encouraged to grow,” the CEO said.

In an interview with The Reporter Tewolde Gebremariam, Ethiopian CEO, and Girma Wake, former CEO, said that they do not object if the domestic flight service is liberalised.

Col. Wossenyeleh Hunegnaw, director general of CAA, said that with the view to encouraging private operators the authority conducted a study (draft aviation law) and submitted it to the Ministry of Transport and other concerned authorities two month ago. Col. Wossenyeleh hopes that the draft law would address the private operators’ concern. The government plans to push the seat limit to 50 but private operators claim that the limit should be removed.

The private airline owners voiced their disappointment with the way they are treated at the airports. Capt. Solomon said that he had asked for permission to build a maintenance hangar 12 years ago and written 25 official letters to Ethiopian Civil Aviation and the Ethiopian Airport Enterprise in the past 12 years but all in vain. “I have been asking the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise to give me a plot of land where we can build a maintenance hangar but our pleas have been falling on deaf ears,” Solomon said. “We are forced to work under scorching sun and heavy rain. We are dying please save us,” he lamented.
According to Solomon, he annually spends up to 300,000 dollars to get his fleet maintained in neighbouring Kenya. “We are also treated like flies at the airport. They tell us to move our aircraft and equipment from place to place now and then.”

Shiferaw Alemu, general manager of the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise, was unable to attend the meeting due to a management meeting. Nigussie Mulugeta, operation facilitation and service head with the enterprise, said that when the airport expansion project is finalised plots would be allocated for companies involved in the general aviation companies. “When the construction is finalised each private operator would have a space for maintenance hangar and office,” Nigussie said.

The private operators have also demanded that private companies should be allowed to provide ground handling services to carriers. Recently the Ethiopian Airport Enterprise banned private companies that provide ground handling services at the Bole International Airport. The private operators appreciated the authority for the improvements it made in service delivery. They also acknowledged the authority for organising bi-annual stakeholders' meeting.

There are 21 registered private airlines in Ethiopia but only six of them are operational.

N.B. The Addis abeba Bole airport has an altitude of 2300 meter(7600 ft)above sea level.

Simfan34

July 3rd, 2011, 03:14 AM

We want one for our troubles!

AM2

September 21st, 2011, 06:07 PM

U.S. Air Force Upgrades Arba Minch to Int’l Airport

http://addisfortune.com/Us%20Air%20Force%20Upgrades%20Arba%20Minch%20to%20Int%E2%80%99l%20Airport.htm
We had a discussion a while back about Arba Minch ... and i saw this piece of news today and kinda connected the dots. The US might be setting up a drone base over there ... maybe

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/al-qaeda/8778788/US-targets-Somalia-and-Yemen-with-new-drone-bases.html

US targets Somalia and Yemen with new drone basesThe US is setting up a ring of bases for armed drones around the Indian Ocean, east Africa and the Arabian peninsular to hunt al Qaeda and spy on pirates.
New facilities for the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft are planned for Ethiopia, and bases will be expanded in the Seychelles and Djibouti, a tiny country on the Red Sea.

The drones have a maximum range of more than 3,600 miles, meaning that they can easily be launched deep over Somalia or Yemen, carry out missions and return to base.

They are the same aircraft used by the Royal Air Force in attacks against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Washington's decision to increase its use of the unmanned "hunter-killer" drones illustrates its concern that anti-Western terror organisations could spread in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsular.

"It's a conscious recognition that those are the hot spots developing right now," a former senior US military official told The Washington Post.

lady gaga

September 21st, 2011, 07:19 PM

TURKISH CARGO launches freighter services to Addis Ababa and Jeddah

TURKISH CARGO continues to add new destinations to its fast growing network.

TURKISH CARGO very recently launched freighter services to Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh in August. As of 27th September scheduled cargo flights to Jeddah will be launched and the new generation A330-200F freighters with a capacity of 68 tons are used for this service.

While TURKISH CARGO expands its flight network with scheduled freighter flights to Riyadh (RUH) and Jeddah (JED), Turkish Airlines also launch passenger flights to Dammam, Saudi Arabia as of 12th September.

With frequencies of 20 to Jeddah, 7 to Riyadh and 13 to Medinah in a week, TURKISH CARGO uses the available capacity of the belly hold of Turkish Airlines passenger aircrafts for cargo carriage.

TURKISH CARGO’s expansion in the African region continues with Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa (ADD). Turkish Cargo, currently serves to Algeria, Cairo, Casablanca and Tripoli (suspended) with scheduled freighter flights, is now adding Addis Ababa to cargo destinations. Addis Ababa freighter services operated with new A330-200F freighter, will commence as of 27th September and is expected to add great contribution to the region.

Valid as of 27th September please find the Istanbul-Jeddah-Addis Ababa-Istanbul freighter schedule below.

yosef

October 14th, 2011, 03:56 PM

Ethiopia launches direct flights from regions to Sudan’s capital

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

October 13, 2011 (Addis Ababa) - African carrier, Ethiopian Airlines on Thursday began direct flights from the country’s two northern regions to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

Ethiopian Airlines announced that the new service to Khartoum from Bahir-Dar the capital of the Amhara region and Tigray’s Mekele to Khartoum began on October 13.

“The new direct flights will enhance tourism and business travel between Northern Ethiopia and Sudan” said a press statement. It added: “It will also strengthen the existing cooperation between the two governments”.

This will be the first time for the flag carrier to operate international routes from regional airports outside its hub, Addis Ababa Bole Airport, although it regularly flies to neighboring Djibouti from Dire Dawa town.

The airliner said the new flight services will be run four days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and Sundays using Bombardier Q-400 Aircraft.

read the rest at SudanTribune (http://www.sudantribune.com/Ethiopia-launches-direct-flights,40420)

yosef

October 14th, 2011, 03:58 PM

Bole airport expansion project to be completed ahead of schedule

Monday, 10 October 2011 12:03
By KALEYESUS BEKELE

The Addis Ababa Airport expansion project is due for completion next December, one month ahead of the original schedule. Shiferaw Alemu, director general of the Ethiopian Airports Enterprise, told The Reporter that the contractor is expediting the work to finalise the project by December. Shiferaw said the enterprise has utilised 31 percent of the budget allocated for the expansion project, adding that the remaining 69 percent would be spent in the coming months.

According to him, the construction was hampered by the rainy season in the summer and by shortage of cement. The enterprise will inaugurate the Jijiga airport expansion project built in the capital of the Somali Regional State after two months. It will also inaugurate the new headquarters built near the Addis Bole International Airport soon.

The Chinese construction company, CRBC Addis Engineering, is undertaking the construction at a cost of 1.1 billion birr (66 million dollars). The expansion project will enable the airport to park huge aircraft, including Boeing 747 and Boeing 777. Currently Bole International Airport has a total of 19 aircraft parking capacity and the expansion will increase this capacity to 44 aircraft. The total cost for the projects will be covered by the Enterprise.

The expansion project includes the construction of aprons, taxiway and restoration of the existing runway, among others.

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