Addis Ababa, February 2026 — Ethiopian Airlines has announced plans to inaugurate three new domestic airports and commence passenger services to the destinations by mid-April 2026. The new airports are located in Negele Borena, Gore Metu and Debre Markos.

The airline will operate thrice-weekly passenger flights to each destination. With the addition of these routes, Ethiopian’s domestic network will expand to 26 destinations, further strengthening internal air connectivity across the country.

Network Expansion

Commenting on the development, Group CEO Mesfin Tasew stated that the inauguration of the three new airports, alongside the launch of passenger services, represents a significant milestone for both the airline and Ethiopia.

He noted that the expansion reflects Ethiopian’s continued commitment to enhancing domestic connectivity and supporting economic growth and regional development. The airline’s stated objective is to build an inclusive and integrated air transport network that improves accessibility to safe and reliable air travel nationwide.

Domestic Modernisation Focus

As Ethiopian integrates the three new destinations into its network, the airline has reaffirmed its focus on modernising the domestic travel experience, including infrastructure renovation and service enhancements.

In 2025, Ethiopian inaugurated Yabello Airport as its 23rd domestic destination, marking a continued pattern of measured network expansion within Ethiopia.

About Ethiopian Airlines Group

Ethiopian Airlines Group has operated for nearly eight decades and serves more than 160 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents.

The airline operates a modern fleet including the Boeing 737, Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Airbus A350-900, Airbus A350-1000 and De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400.

A member of Star Alliance, Ethiopian has received multiple industry awards, including Skytrax’s Best Airline in Africa for eight consecutive years and recognition from APEX.

The group is pursuing a multi-hub strategy across Africa through partnerships with ASKY Airlines, Malawi Airlines, Zambia Airways and Air Congo. Its long-term strategic framework, Vision 2035, aims to position the group among the world’s top 20 competitive aviation organisations.