Ethiopia's Civil Aviation Authority has announced that runway expansions at airports in various regions are progressing urgently. This effort aims to strengthen the country's air transport sector. Ongoing challenges are being addressed to ensure timely completion.
On February 9, 2026, Ethiopia's Civil Aviation Authority announced that expansions of airport runways in various regions are being carried out with urgency. This initiative underscores efforts to bolster the nation's air transport infrastructure.
Misrak Tilahun, Director of Aerodrome Safety Standards, told Fana Digital, "We are working with focus to further strengthen air transport in Ethiopia." Accordingly, runway lengthening projects of varying scales are progressing.
Excluding Bishoftu Airport, five runway constructions are underway in different areas. These include Mizan Aman, Gore Metu, Debre Marcos, Negelle Borena, and Welaita Sodo. Mizan Aman and Gore Metu have exceeded 80% completion and are set to become operational soon, according to Misrak.
The projects have faced delays for various reasons. Issues such as land acquisition problems, contractor performance shortcomings, and others have arisen. Nevertheless, work is ongoing to resolve these challenges and achieve swift completion.
This endeavor will expand air transport, improve tourism accessibility, attract investments, and enable better utilization of regional resources. Nekemte and Yabelo airports are expected to enter service shortly. In total, Ethiopia has 24 airports, with four—Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Mekelle, and Dire Dawa—certified to international standards.
