Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is the primary international gateway of Ethiopia, located approximately 6 kilometres southeast of the city centre in the Bole district. Serving the capital of one of Africa's most populous nations, it functions as the continent's busiest hub by several measures. The airport was established in the 1960s and has undergone successive expansions to meet rapid traffic growth.
Overview
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is the primary international gateway of Ethiopia, located approximately 6 kilometres southeast of the city centre in the Bole district. Serving the capital of one of Africa's most populous nations, it functions as the continent's busiest hub by several measures. The airport was established in the 1960s and has undergone successive expansions to meet rapid traffic growth.
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is most useful when its route network, ground transport and terminal setup match the trip you are taking. Before booking, compare the scheduled departure time with the airport location, connection window and any baggage or check-in requirements attached to your airline.
Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines uses Bole as its primary hub, operating an extensive pan-African, intercontinental, and domestic network that defines much of the airport's character. Several African carriers maintain focus-city operations here. Major international airlines including Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates serve Bole with regular long-haul rotations.
For any airport, the operating airline matters as much as the marketing airline shown in a search result. Codeshares, partner flights and regional affiliates can affect check-in desks, terminal use, baggage handling and support if a flight is delayed or changed.
Terminals and Transfers
The airport operates two main terminal buildings: Terminal 1 handles domestic and some regional services, while the modern Terminal 2, opened in 2019, serves international long-haul and regional traffic. Two asphalt runways are oriented roughly northeast–southwest. The airport operates around the clock, 24 hours a day. An ongoing masterplan envisions further capacity expansion across both terminals.
Connections through ADD need more planning when flights are on separate tickets, when checked baggage is involved, or when the itinerary changes between domestic and international processing. Build a wider buffer if you need to collect bags, move between terminals or pass through security again.
Ground Transport and Trip Planning
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport ground transport should be planned around your arrival time, luggage and final destination. Public transport can be efficient where available, while taxis, rideshare and private transfers may be easier for late arrivals, families or travellers with multiple bags.
If you are choosing between airports or routes, compare ADD against the destinations currently tracked from this airport, including Khartoum. The best itinerary is not always the cheapest one if it creates a difficult transfer, a tight connection or a long onward journey.
Practical guide
Using Addis Ababa Bole International Airport without guesswork
Plan ADD around the terminal you use, the type of connection you are making and how predictable you need the trip into Addis Ababa to be.
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at ADD. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates two main terminal buildings: Terminal 1 handles domestic and some regional services, while the modern Terminal 2, opened in 2019, serves international long-haul and regional traffic. Two asphalt runw
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
Before you leave for ADD
- 1Confirm the terminal and operating airline before leaving for ADD.
- 2Check baggage cut-off times if you are travelling with checked luggage.
- 3Leave extra time for international processing or terminal changes.
- 4Compare ground transport options against traffic and arrival time.
- 5Recheck the flight status before travelling to the airport.
Start here
Terminal and transfer notes
Confirm whether your flight uses a domestic, international or regional area at ADD. Airport layouts vary, and terminal assumptions are a common source of missed connections.
The airport operates two main terminal buildings: Terminal 1 handles domestic and some regional services, while the modern Terminal 2, opened in 2019, serves international long-haul and regional traffic. Two asphalt runw
Leave extra time when changing terminals, travelling with checked luggage, or arriving during busy morning, evening, holiday or event periods.
For Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, the safest connection plan is based on the operating airline, the terminal shown on your booking and whether your baggage is checked through. If the itinerary uses separate tickets, choose a larger buffer.
Airlines
Airlines flying from ADD
Compare the carriers connected with ADD, including airline codes, operating brands and routes currently tracked from this airport.
Routes
Top routes from ADD
Use these route cards to scan popular destinations, estimated distance and flight time before checking live schedules and fares.
Official planning details
Transfers, fares, parking and passenger services at ADD
A source-linked planning layer for details that can change: terminal transfers, transport costs, parking, lounges and accessibility.
Terminal transfer links
TransfersAddis Ababa Bole International Airport transfer details can depend on airline, terminal, baggage handling and whether flights are booked on one ticket. Check the operating airline and airport website before relying on a tight connection at ADD.
Check airport transfer informationTransport fares and local access
FaresTransport costs to and from Addis Ababa can vary by public transport, taxi, rideshare, private transfer, tolls and time of day. Confirm current fares before travelling, especially for late arrivals or peak periods.
Review transport informationParking and pre-booking
ParkingParking at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport may vary by terminal, short-stay area, long-stay area and online booking rules. Compare official parking options with drop-off, pick-up and ground transport before choosing how to reach the airport.
Review airport parking optionsLounges and eligibility
LoungesLounge availability at ADD depends on airline, cabin, alliance status, membership or paid-entry rules. Check the operating airline before travel because access rules and opening hours can change.
Check lounge informationAccessibility and assistance
AccessPassengers needing mobility, sensory, medical or other assistance should confirm airport facilities and arrange airline assistance before travel. Airline-provided help is usually requested through the airline or booking channel.
Review accessibility informationTerminal and parking maps
MapsMaps are useful for finding check-in areas, arrivals paths, parking locations and ground transport pick-up points at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Confirm the terminal before leaving for the airport.
Open airport mapBudget check
Useful cost notes
Prices can change, so use these notes to spot likely cost items before checking the official source.
Public transport, taxi, rideshare and private-transfer prices around ADD can change by time, distance, demand and local fees.
Parking prices often vary by car park, stay length and whether online pre-booking is available.
Seat selection, baggage, lounge access, tolls and late-night transport can change the real cost of a trip.
Nearby airports
Other airports in Ethiopia
Nearby airport options can help when comparing fares, connection times, ground transport and alternate arrival points in Ethiopia.
FAQ
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
9 common questions
- Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Africa), at coordinates 8.980°, 38.800°.
- Its IATA code is ADD and its ICAO code is HAAB.
- Addis Ababa Bole International Airport serves Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. When comparing fares, check whether other airports also serve the same area — prices and transfer times can differ between them.
- Addis Ababa Bole International Airport operates on Africa/Addis_Ababa local time. Departure and arrival times on tickets are always shown in each airport's local time, so double-check the offset when planning connections or pick-ups.
- Addis Ababa Bole International Airport sits at latitude 8.980° and longitude 38.800°. The map link in the details panel on this page opens the exact location for driving directions.
- Carriers tracked on routes from ADD include Air Canada, Air France, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and 3 more.
- Tracked destinations from ADD include Khartoum.
- Its address is Addis Ababa, Oromia, Ethiopia, the phone number is +251 11 665 6666, the official website is http://addisairport.com/. For flight-specific questions (delays, baggage, rebooking), contact the operating airline directly rather than the airport.
- Yes — Originfacts lists 9 other airports in Ethiopia. The nearby-airports section on this page links to each of them, which is useful when comparing fares or finding an alternative departure point.