Ethiopia International Airport - The Complete Guide For Travelers

We all understand that starting a plan to travel to a new country is difficult. However, we will make it simple for you. While you are struggling to research where to visit in Ethiopia, what to eat and where to stay, you may forget how to travel to Ethiopia. Of course you will travel to Ethiopia by air; however, you may not know which airport is fine.

We are here to help you know all about the Ethiopia International Airport, which airport you should choose to land at to facilitate your travel. This guide provides in-depth information about the main airport, airport codes, duty-free shopping, safety measures, and other things about flying through Ethiopia.

How Many Airports Are There in Ethiopia?

Ethiopia has a total of 58 airports, including international and domestic airports. The major international airports include:

• Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) – The main international gateway.
• Dire Dawa International Airport (DIR) – Serving the eastern part of Ethiopia.
• Bahir Dar Airport (BJR) – Near Lake Tana and historical sites.
• Mekele Alula Aba Nega Airport (MQX) – Serving northern Ethiopia.
• Hawassa Airport (AWA) – Connecting the southern region.
• Gondar Airport (GDQ) – A key airport for tourists visiting historic Gondar.

These airports support both passenger and cargo flights, boosting connectivity within Ethiopia and beyond.

There are many Ethiopia International Airport in the country

Ethiopia International Airport Codes

For travelers and aviation professionals, Ethiopia’s international airport codes are essential for identifying airports. Here are some of the key IATA codes:

• ADD – Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
• DIR – Dire Dawa International Airport
• BJR – Bahir Dar Airport
• MQX – Mekele Alula Aba Nega Airport
• GDQ – Gondar Airport
• AWA – Hawassa Airport

These codes help in booking flights and navigating Ethiopian airports efficiently.

What is the Main Airport in Ethiopia?

There are many Ethiopia International Airport in the country for you to choose from.

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) is the main airport in Ethiopia. It is Ethiopians' flag carrier and tops the list of African airlines because this airport is near the capital of this country. The airport is to be found in the capital - Addis Ababa and has many flights through domestic and international destinations as well.

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is nowsaday one of the most frequently used airport and it provides many flights to Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East. This airport is also chosen by many travelers, this is why the airport has become the main provider among Ethiopian International Airport.

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport Guide

Location

From the National Museum of Ethiopia, which houses the famous 'Lucy' exhibit, which features a fragmentary skeleton of an early hominid that dates back 3.2 million years, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is roughly 8 kilometers (5 miles) away.

Terminals & Facilities

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has two main terminals:

• Terminal 1: Handles domestic and some regional flights.
• Terminal 2: Primarily for international flights and long-haul routes.

The airport has been undergoing expansions to accommodate increasing passenger numbers. It now boasts modern facilities, including lounges, duty-free shopping, restaurants, and a transit hotel.

There are lounges that designed in the airport, such as:

• Conference and business: There are a few VIP lounges at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport that provide standard business amenities.
• Communication Facilities: Wi-Fi is provided for free. The Arrival Hall has many counters that sell Ethiopian SIM cards.
• Disabled facilities: Standard accessibility amenities at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport include elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms.

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

Immigration & Visa

It is important for non-nationals to remember that they have all the necessary paperwork to enter Ethiopia. 

Most of the time, a visa is requested. Ethiopia Immigration Services has specialized in e-Visa process for many years, with our support, we believe you can get your travel document easily to travel to Ethiopia. The process is very simple, all you need to prepare is your photograph and passport. We will take care of the process for you and on behalf of you work with the government. Within 03 business days, travelers receive your e-Visa result and you can use it to get stamped at the airport.

If you want to bring some personal items, remember to follow the rules of the airport:

• About 250 grams of tobacco, or 300 to 400 cigarettes.
• Two litres of alcoholic drinks
• Six hundred milliliters of fragrance

Ethiopia Airport Duty-Free Shopping

Travelers passing through Ethiopia’s international airports can take advantage of duty-free shopping. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport duty-free stores offer a variety of products, including:

• Perfumes and cosmetics
• Electronics
• Alcohol and tobacco
• Ethiopian coffee and souvenirs

The duty-free shops are located in the departure area of Terminal 2, making it convenient for travelers to purchase last-minute gifts and luxury items before their flight.

Transportation Options

The airport offers several transportation options:

• Taxis: Outside Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, there are two different kinds of taxis. Operation of the National Tour Taxis are metered and have yellow bodies with white tops. Blue bodies and white tops characterize private taxis; some are metered, while others have set rates for typical routes.
• Ride-hailing Services: In Addis Ababa, there are two ride-hailing applications: RIDE and FERES. Passengers can be picked up from the airport by either.
• Shuttle Services: Some hotels provide free airport transfers, you can ask them where to pick up the car and head to the destination to go to your booked hotel.

There are many transport options for you to choose from

Is Ethiopia Airport Safe?

In travel, safety is the biggest problem. A person who gets ready to travel to Ethiopia immidiately consider: is Ethiopia International Airport safe? The answer is yes—Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is following safe and standard international practices and you are always in a zone of comfort while you are in the airport. The airport has:

• Strict security screening procedures, you and your luagges will be screened through a machine in order to check if you bring any harmful items or not.
• 24/7 surveillance with CCTV monitoring.
• Trained airport security personnel, if there is an incident or accident at the airport, security will intervene and help you immediately.
• Immigration and customs officers ensuring smooth operations.

Travelers are summoned with a directive to be cautious especially in those areas that are open to the public and to remain watchful over their properties. The place is similar to any other big airport and so it is important that people obey security instructions and avoid services of unauthorized taxi drivers.

Conclusion

The Ethiopia International Airport is highly developed in aviation, with the central hub for international travelers being the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. This guide covers every detail you need to know about knowing whether you are in a shopping mall or seeking information on airport safety or even airport codes in Ethiopia. In the future, the team at the airport who makes all efforts to develop airport facilities can be expected to deliver even better services and more connectivity to travelers.

If you plan to travel through Ethiopia, ensure you have all necessary travel documents and enjoy the facilities offered at its modern airports. Moreover, preparing an e-Visa first is very important when traveling to another country. If you have any questions or concerns about the visa process, please contact us through the contact form or dial +1 949 346 9868. We will be available to respond and support you throughout the procedure. Safe travels!