Ethiopian Airlines hosted a double celebration this week as they launched their new state-of-the-art passenger terminal at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and officially opened their own brand new ultra-modern 5-star Skylight Hotel.
The new $363 million passenger terminal will help to serve the huge increase in volume through and into the airport driven by its strategic location and Ethiopian Airlines convenient connectivity options.
The airport will now be able to accommodate 22 million passengers annually thanks to its additional 86,000 square metres in terminal 2, 16,000 square metres in terminal 1 and 6,000 square metres for the new VIP terminal.
The terminal has a new check in hall with elevated motorway and many more international gates as well as check-in and immigration counters. It also features the latest technology security systems, self-check-in machines, a self-boarding system, comfortable lounges, duty free shops, restaurants and lots more amenities.
Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive officer, Tewolde GebreMariam said: “While Addis Ababa Airport took over Dubai as the largest air transport hub between Africa and the rest of the world, this grand terminal building is further evidence of the development of Bole Airport as one of the largest and most convenient global aviation hubs.”
Ethiopian Skylight Hotel offers much needed 5-star accommodation to this fast-growing capital city. Conveniently located adjacent to the airport, its unique aircraft shape design provides 373 guest rooms and spacious executive suites, 4 restaurants including the largest Chinese restaurant in Africa, 2 bars, a swimming pool, gym, health centre, café and gift shops.
The hotel also has 5 meeting rooms and a huge conference hall that can accommodate 2000 people offering Addis is a convenient location for global and regional conferences and events.
Ethiopia has abundant tourist sites across the country and Ethiopian said it wants to take every opportunity for travellers to extend their stay in the country.
GebreMariam said: “Ethiopian Skylight Hotel will enable the airline to offer packaged tour and travel programs. Moreover, the hotel will enable Ethiopian Airlines to attract around a third of tourists out of the 6 million passengers transiting through Bole Airport to visit Ethiopia.”
