KEYIR NEWS - Ethiopian Airlines has officially inaugurated the newly expanded Wollo Kombolcha Airport, a major infrastructure project built at a cost exceeding 1.8 billion birr. The upgraded facility includes a modernised passenger terminal and operational buildings, constructed to significantly enhance air travel services and regional connectivity.
Spanning an extensive area of 3,500 hectares, the expansion project is designed to accommodate increased passenger volumes and facilitate efficient airport operations. Officials believe the development will play a critical role in boosting both investment and tourism in the Amhara region.
During the inauguration ceremony, Arega Kebede, Head of the Amhara Regional State Administration, commended the initiative as a step forward in the region’s economic revitalisation.
“The expansion of Wollo Kombolcha Airport will serve as a catalyst for investment and tourism,” he stated “However, we must also understand that development can only be realised in an atmosphere of peace. As citizens, it is our shared responsibility to safeguard and sustain that peace.”
Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, emphasised the national carrier’s broader vision of upgrading domestic aviation infrastructure.
“We are making substantial investments in modernising and expanding airports across the country,” he said. “Our goal is to deliver high-quality and efficient services to passengers across Ethiopia.”
The newly upgraded Kombolcha Airport is expected to enhance the overall competitiveness of Kombolcha City, which is one of Ethiopia’s key industrial centres. The city houses major factories and is part of the government’s industrial corridor development strategy.
Muhammad Amin Yusuf, Mayor of Kombolcha City Administration, underscored the economic significance of the airport’s expansion. “This project will greatly stimulate Kombolcha’s economy by improving transport logistics and accessibility,” he noted. “It positions the city as a gateway for industrial goods and opens up more avenues for growth.”
Ethiopian Airlines currently serves 22 domestic destinations and continues to expand its network in line with rising demand for regional air transport. The Group has also disclosed that six additional airports are under construction across various regions, reflecting a sustained commitment to infrastructure development.
The Wollo Kombolcha Airport project is also expected to generate jobs, improve regional mobility, and create stronger linkages between industrial, commercial, and service sectors within and beyond the Amhara region.
It complements Ethiopia’s broader aviation and economic growth strategies, which aim to decentralise investment and stimulate development in regional cities.
As Ethiopia modernises its aviation infrastructure, stakeholders have praised the government and Ethiopian Airlines for their long-term vision and execution.
The expansion of Wollo Kombolcha Airport represents not only a local milestone but also a testament to the national agenda of connectivity, development, and inclusive economic growth.
By ZELALEM GIRMA | KEYIR STAFF WRITER