Ethiopia, China in $73m airport expansion deal

Ethiopia and China have entered into a $72.5m loan deal from the China Import-Export Bank for the expansion of the Addis Ababa International Airport, local media reports said on Monday.

The reports said that the Ethiopian Parliament approved the bill for the loan deal, expected to be paid back in 13 years, through its Budget and Finance Committee for the Airport Project.

According to the reports, the expansion project will include the construction of a new passenger terminal as an extension of the existing Terminal 1 (domestic and regional terminal) and terminal 2 (international terminal) with all related equipment.

The reports further said that a new VIP passengers’ terminal would be constructed as well as new terminal house, boarding areas, lounges, recreation centres and shopping malls.

Others are offices and facilities such as boarding gates, bridges and parking areas.