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In its bid to increase the number of standard airports across the country, the Ethiopian Civil aviation authority is wooing private players into the sector.
In its bid to increase the number of standard airports across the country, the Ethiopian Civil aviation authority is wooing private players into the sector. Ethiopia, according to Civil Aviation Director-General Getachew Mengiste, lacked adequate facilities in terms of small airports and helipads. He urged private investors to come forward and invest in the civil aviation sector including in the construction and management of small airports and heliports. As of now, Ethiopia has 22 airports, including four international airports, that are providing regular services in Ethiopia.
Addressing a press conference Mengiste said that Ethiopia was far behind other African countries in the development of small airports used for domestic air transport services. The onus of the construction and management of airports falls mainly on the shoulders of the federal government, he added. Therefore, the director General said that the authority needs the active participation of private investors, regional governments, city administrations, and non-governmental institutions in the construction and management of small airports and heliports.
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He assured appropriate technical support from the government for private sector airport developers as it regards expanding infrastructure of airports, critical for the development of air transport. The Civil aviation authority has developed a system and monitoring mechanism to support private players involved in the construction and management of the sector. It was felt that there is an urgent need for the expansion of airports to increase the accessibility of air transport services, for both passengers and high-value and perishable products in a safe and quality manner as also to boost tourism.
