For years, many of the African exports transported by air to European or Asian markets are transshipped in Dubai or other airports in the Middle East. The same accounts for imports in the opposite direction. This will change, hold the top managers of Ethiopian Cargo. In the medium term, Addis Ababa’s Bole International will become Africa’s prime hub for consolidations and transshipments, siphoning business away from their peers in the Middle East.
Ethiopian Cargo’s estimate is based on two factors: the steady growth of the carrier’s international network and fleet, and their state-of-the-art large freight terminal at Addis Ababa Bole
International Airport.
Concerning the fleet, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) currently operates 110 aircraft, with a further 65 on order. The recent crash of a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8, killing all 157 people aboard, came as
a shock, with investigations still going on. But, although highly tragic, is has no influence on the carrier’s future fleet plans as indicated in their “Vision 2025.”
Taking the pole position in Africa
Meanwhile, 1945 incepted ET has developed into the largest airline in Africa in terms of destinations served, fleet size, revenues generated and passengers as well as freight carried. The
state-owned carrier reported a profit of US$223 million for fiscal 2017/18.
In addition to its traditional hub Addis Ababa, Ethiopian has established sub-hubs in Lomé, Togo and Lilongwe, Malawi.
Thus, ideal conditions to become a network airline consolidating African exports, mainly cut flowers, meat, and other perishables at Bole Airport from where they are trans-shipped to their final
international destinations in the holds of ET’s passenger aircraft or the main decks of their eight freighters (six B777-200LRFs, two B757-260Fs). The same goes for imports arriving at Bole
Airport, handled there and spread across the continent by air shortly after.
Best-in-class freight terminal
A key element of the airline’s “Vision 2025” is their state-of-the art cargo terminal launched in 2017, Africa’s largest by size and most modern. It covers 38,000 square meters which equalizes
the size of five soccer fields. The fully automated facility is equipped with technic provided by ACUNIS, a cooperation between Unitechnik and AMOVA both from Germany. The US$150 freight terminal
offers handling and storage capacity of 600,000 tons per year. It is divided into a refrigeration zone (17,000 m²) with different temperature ranges from 2 to 10 degrees Celsius and a
non-refrigerated dry zone (19,000 m²).
Change of cargo flows on the horizon
For the East African country, the fleet and network expansion complemented by modern ground infrastructure is a matter of do or die, to put it drastically. Well-functioning air traffic offering
abundant international routes and high frequencies is the only opportunity to attract foreign investment and develop the economy further. This, because Ethiopia is a classic landlocked country
without direct access to a sea port. So, fast and efficient air transport of imports and exports to/from Africa and the professional handling of transshipments at ADD becomes imperative, leaving
no room for alternatives.
Having said this, Ethiopian Cargo just confirmed plans to expand their new freight terminal further, upping the handling and storage capacity to yearly 1.2 million tons. Currently, ET Cargo turns
over 350,000 tons per year.
"In the long term, in making this investment, we want to establish our capital not only as a freight hub for the African continent, but also as an international cargo hub. This puts us in direct
competition with hubs like Dubai," announces Tewolde GebreMariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.
Provided the plans become reality, they would lead to a shift of cargo flows from airports in the Middle East to the fast-rising Ethiopian hub.
Heiner Siegmund
Write a comment
Samuel (Monday, 22 April 2019 20:22)
Well done my brother you are a pure Ethiopia with a good spirits and love of our mother land, I wish we all be like you, that would have change our mother land by far in a better place on the world . Keep your good work live forever and try to bring up young generation like you . Good bless this CEO
Rayhan ahmed (Monday, 22 April 2019 23:05)
I suggest Ethiopia should spend more
Time on there society poverty destitution needs to be treated health
Education needs attention road bridges
Need building and here they are flying the latest A350.
You can still have a nation operating old generation B707 DC10 747 and be
A developed nation with good economy and GDP.
Snooki's (Tuesday, 23 April 2019 07:21)
You will never come close to Dubai. Dream on . First as a CEO learn to get back to concerns of customers those little things make a big difference
Rez@ (Tuesday, 23 April 2019 13:44)
I wish, You need professional people who need a job !
Lots of cargo mishandled in terrible way !
Fanuel (Tuesday, 23 April 2019 18:16)
@Rayhan ahmed and @snooki's yes we were poor but not anymore,i wonder how your country were struggling untill you find that bloody oil.you both are haters but we Ethiopian are committed and working hard to build a great country and nation.
Malaki (Wednesday, 24 April 2019 03:03)
Snooki's
I am sure that when dubai dreamed big back in the days, there were cynics that decried it, but look where Dubai is now. So, if Addis dreams big, good for them. Better to dream big than little or none. Already, this airline has accomplished a lot and there is no reason why it cant accomplish more. But cynics like you will alwsys cry foul where there is none.
Hamza (Wednesday, 24 April 2019 07:00)
Dubai isn't the ultimate. You can achieve your dream. We are proud of ET.
Dan (Wednesday, 24 April 2019 08:26)
Envy and jealousy is not way to go
Kate (Wednesday, 24 April 2019 08:39)
Ethiopian Airlines leaves a lot to desire in terms of customer care either during flights, at Bole Airport and in their booking offices. They should put more emphasis on improving and ensuring an all inclusive customer care if they want to get higher international recognition.
Imtiaz latif (Thursday, 30 April 2020 12:46)
I booked cargo on Ethiopian air from dubai to malawi. They received cargo on 17 March was booked on the flight to malawi . The flight arrived but no cargo it has been over one month . They are not even responding to my cargo agents enquiries to inform when I am getting my cargo. The passenger flights have been cancelled but cargo flights still operating. If any Ethiopian airways official is reading this please get in touch as I am losing money because of that