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Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Africa's busiest hub, gateway to the continent and beyond.
- ›Ethiopian Airlines, headquartered adjacent to the airport, operates one of the largest route networks in Africa from this hub.
- ›Terminal 2, opened in 2019, can handle up to 22 million passengers annually.
- ›The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 2,334 metres (7,657 feet) above sea level.
- ›ADD serves as one of the primary transit points connecting sub-Saharan Africa with the rest of the world.
- ›The airport has consistently ranked among Africa's top three busiest airports by international passenger traffic.
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is the primary international gateway to Ethiopia and one of the busiest airports on the African continent, serving as the home base for Ethiopian Airlines. Situated at an elevation of roughly 2,334 metres above sea level, it holds the distinction of being one of the highest-altitude major airports in the world. Extensive expansion works completed in recent years have significantly increased its capacity, reinforcing Addis Ababa's role as a key transit hub connecting Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.
- Terminal 1 — The older international terminal handling select international and some domestic operations, now partially repurposed following the opening of Terminal 2.
- Terminal 2 (International Terminal) — The modern, expansive international terminal opened in 2019, serving the majority of Ethiopian Airlines international flights with significantly upgraded facilities.
- Domestic Terminal — Dedicated facility handling Ethiopian Airlines' extensive domestic network connecting Addis Ababa to regional cities across Ethiopia.
- Metered taxis available from the official taxi rank outside arrivals
- Ride-hailing apps including Ride and ZayRide operating in Addis Ababa
- Airport shuttle buses connecting to major city hotels
- Car rental desks from international and local operators inside the arrivals hall
- Public minibus (blue-and-white shared minibuses) accessible near the airport perimeter road
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa Airport
- Bole Ambassador Hotel
- Ethiopian Skylight Hotel
- Hilton Addis Ababa
- Golden Tulip Addis Ababa
Inside the terminals, travellers will find a mix of international fast-food outlets, coffee bars, and Ethiopian cuisine options, with Ethiopian Airlines lounges offering more substantial meal service for eligible passengers. Ethiopian coffee ceremonies are a cultural highlight and can be experienced at several airport cafés serving traditionally prepared bunna. Just outside the airport perimeter in the Bole district, a wide range of restaurants serve authentic Ethiopian injera-based dishes alongside international options.
- Arrive well in advance — security and check-in queues can be lengthy, especially during peak African hub transit hours.
- The high altitude means thinner air; travellers arriving from sea level may notice mild breathlessness — take it easy on arrival.
- Ethiopian Birr is the local currency; exchange counters are available in arrivals, but notify your bank before using cards.
- Visa on arrival or e-visa is available for many nationalities — confirm eligibility and prepare a printed confirmation to speed up immigration.
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Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is an international airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is in the Bole district, 6 km (3.7 mi) southeast of the city centre and 65 km (40 mi) north of Bishoftu. The airport was formerly known as Haile Selassie I International Airport. It is the main hub of Ethiopian Airlines, the national airline that serves destinations in Ethiopia and throughout the African continent, as well as connections to Asia, Europe, North America and South America. The airport is also the base of the Ethiopian Aviation Academy. As of June 2018, nearly 380 flights per day were using the airport. The airport is set to be replaced by a new hub at Bishoftu International Airport, with a projected completion in 2030.
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