Ethiopian gets 2025 off to a flying start with opening of Wako Gutu terminal in Bale
January 9, 2025
Ethiopian Airlines Group kick started the new year with the inauguration of Bale’s recently built Wako Gutu terminal in the Oromia Regional State. The opening ceremony was overseen by the president of Oromia, H.E. Shimelis Abdisa, government officials and Ethiopian’s CEO Mesfin Tasew.
The new terminal is expected to enhance passenger travel and support the socio-economic and cultural interrelation between the domestic regions and the wider global market.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on 5 January, Tasew said: “We are delighted to announce the completion of this terminal project, which brings an enhanced experience to our passengers flying to and from this destination. Our commitment to improving the airport experience across our domestic network drives us to invest in upgrades and renovations like this. We take great pride in delivering this state-of-the-art facility and look forward to offering our passengers an elevated level of comfort and experience.”
The flag-carrying airline has been developing the country’s airport infrastructure since it acquired Ethiopian Airports Enterprise as a strategic business unit in 2017. The group has also recently inaugurated terminals at Gode Ugaas Miraad and Jinka airports and renovated the domestic terminal at Addis Ababa Bole International in Ethiopia’s capital.
Ethiopia’s Vision 2035 strategy
The investment in the country’s airports is in line with the airline’s mission to establish multiple hubs across the continent, while boosting domestic and regional connectivity. Operating flights to more than 22 destinations across the country, including 14 weekly flights to and from Robe Wako Gutu Airport, Ethiopian recently resumed services to Dembi Dollo and Axum airports and launched new services to Nekemite.
Bale’s airport offers a gateway to one of the country’s iconic tourist hotspots with its iconic Holqa Sof Omar underground caverns and Bale Mountains National Park.
At the end of December 2024, the airline also partnered with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to launch Air Congo, further enhancing connectivity for the DRC and Central Africa.
