Ethiopia to build Eight airports and Heliports by private companies.
Following the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority’s guidelines for the construction and management of airports, which were only carried out by the federal government, private investors, regional and city administrations, developers who showed interest in building eight airports and heliports have submitted applications to the authority.
The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority Deputy Director General of Aviation Regulation Misrak Tilahun said that the authority has received eight applications since it came into operation in September after passing a directive allowing private investors, regional and city governments to build airports, paved landings and helipads.
Among them, two of them are applications for rebuilding the airstrips in Mekane Selam and Debretabor, said Misrak Tilahun.
Goldstar Aviation, a private company engaged in air transport services, has applied for the construction of heliports in Dredawa and Sabata cities.
Currently, there is no helicopter landing site for civil service in Ethiopia. So far, airport infrastructure construction has been done only by the federal government, so the number of airports is limited compared to other African countries.
The official called on private investors to participate in the construction and management of small airports.
In addition to construction, she announced that they can be engaged in the air transport sector by transporting passengers and goods, aircraft maintenance, training and aerospace manufacturing.
There are 22 airports that provide regular services in Ethiopia, and four of them are recognized for providing international services.
