Ethiopian Airlines has 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 five-star Skylight Hotel.

The launch ceremony was attended by Ethiopia prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, African Union chairperson Moussa Faki, ministers, high level government officials, Ethiopian Airlines board members, group chief executive Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde GebreMariam, executive management members and other invited guests.

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration ceremony, 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.”

The new US$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 sqm in terminal two, 16,000 sqm in terminal one and 6,000 sqm 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 Skylight Hotel offers much needed five-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, four restaurants including the largest Chinese restaurant in Africa, two bars, a swimming pool, gym, health centre, café and gift shops.

The hotel also has five meeting rooms and a huge conference hall that can accommodate 2,000 people offering Addis is a convenient location for global and regional conferences and events.

Ethiopia has abundant tourist sites across the country and Ethiopian want to take every opportunity for travellers to extend their stay in the country.

GebreMariam commented: “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 six million passengers transiting through Bole Airport to visit Ethiopia.

At the inauguration event, prime minister Abiy offered his support.

He added: “Ethiopian Airlines is our national pride and a special icon among our companies as it carries our common name Ethiopia and our national flag.

“We would like all employees of the airline here and elsewhere to know that we speak of you with pride.

“The new hotel Ethiopian Airlines inaugurated today will enable us to attract tourists, and the airline’s offer for employees to own shares of the hotel is important as it boosts sense of ownership among staff and will serve as a model for other companies to emulate.

“What we learn from today’s inauguration of the new passenger terminal is that we have a lot of work ahead of us.

“We expect the board and the management not to be complacent with the new terminal, but rather to aim for a bigger facility with a capacity to accommodate at least 100 million passengers.”