Speaking at a media briefing held at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Mesfin attributed the growth to fleet expansion and increased flight activity. Ethiopian logged nearly 334,000 flight hours and carried 10.64 million passengers over the period. Ethiopian Airlines transported 451,000 tons of cargo, representing a 19 percent year-on-year increase, according to the CEO. The new airport, projected to cost over USD 10 billion, is designed to accommodate up to 110 million passengers annually at full capacity. The first phase, targeting 60 million passengers per year, is slated for completion by November 2029, according to airline executives.

Source: Ethiopian News February 10, 2026 17:50 UTC