The Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (EAE) is seeking bidders for the construction of Hawassa Airport, with the design now complete
According to reports, the airport's blueprint comprises an airfield which has been designed by the Transport Construction Design Enterprise (TCDE). The terminal has been designed by a private consulting firm named Bereket Tesfaye Consulting Architects and Engineering, and will comprise a five-storey building with a VIP lounge, security check points, baggage handling, restaurant, kitchen and a terrace.
Hawassa is a predominant tourist spot and the capital city of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR). In 2005, the city received a total of 631,000 local and international tourists. Hawassa is home to the BGI Brewery, Millennium Pepsi Cola Plant, Hawassa Textile Factory S.C, several hotels and an industrial zone as well.
Wondeme Teklu, communications head of EAE said that the construction of the airfield and terminal will begin by the end of 2014. Upon completion, Hawassa Airport will be Ethiopia's 19th airport.
EAE handles 18 airports across Ethiopia, and recently awarded construction company Afro-Tsion a US$29mn contract for the construction of the Jinka Airport. According to the Growth & Transformation Plan (GTP), the organisation plans to have a total of 21 airports before the end of 2014/15 fiscal year.
