Addis Ababa Bole International Airport Guide
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport sits in the Bole district, approximately 6 km southeast of the city centre. Built in 1962 to accommodate jet aircraft replacing the older Lidetta airfield, it has since grown into Africa's third-busiest airport by passenger traffic, handling around 12.1 million passengers in 2024. The airport operates two runways — 3,800 m and 3,700 m — oriented east–west.
Ethiopian Airlines dominates operations here, running over 5,000 flights per month to more than 120 destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Other carriers include Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, EgyptAir, and Singapore Airlines. The airport serves as a major transit hub, with a significant share of its traffic connecting passengers between Africa and the rest of the world.
A new international terminal opened in 2003 and was further expanded in 2019, adding check-in counters, immigration processing capacity, and a transit hotel. The airport is managed by Ethiopian Airports Enterprise, a subsidiary of the Ethiopian Airlines Group. A replacement hub is planned near Bishoftu, projected to open around 2030.
Services
4 of 6 availableCompare 33 listed options at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges and hotels. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 12M passengers (2024)2 runwaysopened 1962
- Location
- 8.978, 38.799
- Operator
- Ethiopian Airports Enterprise
Terminals
2 terminalsAddis Ababa Bole International Airport has 2 passenger terminals — Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, handling both international and domestic flights for around 10 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Terminal 1Domestic
Ethiopian Airlines
- Terminal 2International
Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, EgyptAir, Singapore Airlines, Air India, Saudia, Etihad
Nearby cities
3 citiesAddis Ababa Bole International Airport is closest to Addis Ababa (6 km northwest), and also serves Bishoftu, Adama and other nearby areas. With 3 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Addis Ababa6 km northwest
- Bishoftu53 km southeast
- Adama95 km east
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the airport codes for Addis Ababa Bole International Airport?
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Where is Addis Ababa Bole International Airport located?
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