Addis Ababa Has Overtaken Dubai As The World’s Gateway Into Africa

Addis Ababa has overtaken Dubai as a destination and transfer hub for long-haul passengers to Africa, thanks to the reforms of the new Ethiopian administration.

According to ForwardKeys, Addis Ababa airport has increased the number of international transfer passengers to sub-Saharan Africa for five years in a row, and in 2018 has surpassed Dubai, one of the world’s most visited airports, as the transfer hub for long-haul travel to the continent.

With 17 million flight bookings a day, ForwardKeys found the number of long-haul transfers to sub-Saharan Africa via Addis Ababa jumped by 85 percent from 2013 to 2017. Transfers via Dubai over the same period rose by 31 percent.

Two main reasons explain the increase in international flight bookings to Adis Ababa

First of all, the new reforms undertaken by the Ethiopian government, thanks to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, namely, the issuance of electronic visas to all visitors in June and, in November, the introduction of visas upon arrival for all African visitors. This is a desire to open the Ethiopian economy to foreign investment.

The second reason can be attributed to the successes of the state carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline which has dominated Africa’s skies in the last decade. Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in April, and made peace with Eritrea, to end a two-decade state of war, Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to its neighbour in July, including Somalia’s capital after 41 years.

Through a mix of strategic investments and partnerships, airline acquisitions, and efficient service delivery, the state carrier has reinvigorated air travel across the continent. It now flies to more than 60 destinations across Africa, and has partnered with airlines in Chad, Mozambique, established hubs in Malawi and Togo, and flies to more than 60 destinations across Africa. 

The airline is currently implementing Vision 2025, a plan that will see it improve its passenger and cargo transport, increase airport services, and expand its aviation academy. Addis Ababa’s Bole airport is projected to raise the annual passenger capacity from 7 million to 22 million.

Sources:  Reuters