Ethiopian Airlines has officially unveiled Yabello Airport, a long-awaited transport hub that promises to unlock southern Ethiopia’s economic and tourism potential. The facility, inaugurated on 31 August 2025, is located just 11 kilometres from Yabello Town in the Borena Zone of Oromia.

A Strategic Investment

Constructed at a cost of more than 1 billion Ethiopian birr (around USD 7 million), the project delivers a modern airfield, upgraded access roads, and a passenger terminal. It marks a major milestone in Ethiopian Airlines’ Vision 2035 growth plan, which focuses on strengthening domestic connectivity alongside its already formidable global presence.

The airport will initially be served by three weekly flights from Addis Ababa, operated with De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft—planes that are well-suited to regional operations and short-haul routes.

Unlocking Economic Opportunity

Yabello Airport is being positioned as a catalyst for regional development, especially in trade and tourism. The Borena Zone is home to Ethiopia’s prized cattle markets, mineral resources, and agricultural goods—industries that will benefit from shorter transport times and access to wider markets.

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Tourism is also expected to flourish. The region boasts Borena culture, traditional Gadaa governance systems, and rich wildlife habitats, from acacia woodlands to unique birdlife. By cutting down lengthy road journeys, Yabello could quickly become a preferred entry point for travellers eager to explore southern Ethiopia.

Beyond Tourism: Social Impact

Improved connectivity isn’t just about commerce. The airport provides faster links to healthcare and education, while strengthening the region’s resilience against emergencies like drought and flooding—a pressing concern in southern Oromia.

Yabello Airport takes off: Connecting Southern Ethiopia to new horizons of trade and tourism. Photo Credit: Ethiopian Airlines
Yabello Airport takes off: Connecting Southern Ethiopia to new horizons of trade and tourism. Photo Credit: Ethiopian Airlines

Part of Vision 2035

For Ethiopian Airlines, Yabello is more than just another dot on the route map. It is part of a long-term strategy to rank among the world’s top 20 airline groups, backed by investments in new aircraft, workforce development, and domestic infrastructure.

Why Yabello Airport Could Be Ethiopia’s Hidden Ace

As someone who has travelled through Ethiopia’s vast landscapes, I see Yabello Airport as more than just another ribbon-cutting ceremony. This is a bold statement that regional Ethiopia matters—not just Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Airlines has long been Africa’s flag-bearer for aviation excellence, but growth too often gets concentrated in capitals and major hubs. By investing in Yabello, the airline is doing something far more progressive: decentralising opportunity.

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Think about it. For decades, southern Ethiopia has been viewed as a destination for adventurous road trippers or researchers, not mainstream travellers. Long travel times discouraged tourism, and traders often battled poor road infrastructure. With an airport now in place, the barriers are lowered. Yabello can reposition itself as a gateway to Ethiopia’s underexplored south—offering authentic cultural immersion and eco-tourism that could rival Ethiopia’s more famous northern circuit.

The real question is whether local authorities, communities, and investors will seize this chance. Airports alone don’t transform regions; they need accompanying infrastructure, marketing, and partnerships to truly thrive.

If Ethiopian Airlines can align with local tourism boards, eco-lodges, and cultural institutions, Yabello might just become Ethiopia’s next big travel story. For now, it’s a promising start—an invitation to look south with fresh eyes.