Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
Addis Ababa, ET 🇪🇹 Large International Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
HAAB
IATA
ADD
Elevation
7630 ft
Region
ET-AA
Local Time
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GPS Code: HAAB
Local Code: Not available
Location: 8.97789° N, 38.799301° E
Continent: Africa
Type: Large International Airport
Keywords: Haile Selassie I Bole International Airport
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) often presents a mixed bag of experiences for recent travelers. While some appreciate its expanded facilities and connectivity, others frequently express dissatisfaction with various aspects of its operations and staff interactions. Overall sentiment appears to lean towards a functional but often chaotic and frustrating transit hub, particularly during peak hours.
What Travelers Love
- Expanded Terminal Space: Recent expansions, particularly in the departure areas and Terminal 2, have resulted in larger and more modern spaces, with some finding them to be quite beautiful. The domestic departure zone is also noted as spacious.
- Convenient Amenities for Transit: For those with longer layovers, there are options like transit hotels and lounges, with one review highlighting a new pay-on-the-day lounge offering buffet meals and showers. Some travelers also praise the availability of free Wi-Fi and free water tap stations, which are seen as thoughtful details.
- Good Food and Shopping Options: The departure lounge is well-served with snack bars and cafes, including international brands like Starbucks and Burger King, as well as local options. Duty-free shopping at Terminal 2 is also expanding and offers luxury brands, perfumes, and traditional Ethiopian gifts.
- Potential for Layover Tours: For travelers with extended layovers, there are professionally guided city tours available to explore Addis Ababa's historical sites, markets, and coffee ceremonies.
Common Complaints
- Inefficient and Chaotic Security/Immigration: This is a recurring major complaint, with travelers describing security channels as inefficiently staffed, leading to long queues, pushing, and shoving. The check-in process can be disorganized, and some security personnel are reported to be rude, disrespectful, and even aggressive, digging through bags and making derogatory comments.
- High Prices for Food and Beverages: Many travelers find the cost of food and drinks within the airport to be excessively high, with examples of expensive baby milk and beer.
- Lack of Customer Service and Staff Training: Several reviews highlight a general lack of customer service and unhelpful or rude staff, indicating a need for improved training.
- Cleanliness and Comfort Issues: Despite some positive mentions, the airport received a 2-star rating for comfort and cleanliness by Skytrax, with comments about the quality of terminal space lacking architectural appeal. While some find toilets clean, others mention cleaning staff closing facilities frequently. Seating can be hard, and the airport can get very crowded.
- Connectivity and Payment Issues: Some travelers report issues with card readers for payments and difficulty converting USD to ETB, requiring multiple cash assistants. WiFi connectivity has also been a problem for some, although others praise its availability.
In summary, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is a rapidly expanding and busy African hub that has made efforts to improve its facilities, particularly with newer terminal sections and varied amenities. However, traveler satisfaction is significantly impacted by persistent issues with disorganized and often unpleasant security and immigration experiences, high prices, and inconsistent staff professionalism. Travelers should anticipate potential delays and frustrations, especially during peak travel times, but may find some comfort in the improved terminal spaces and available services for longer layovers.
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Airport Routes
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) offers 81 flight routes operated by 6 airlines. Major carriers include Ethiopian Airlines, FlyDubai, Turkish Airlines and others. Popular destinations from Addis Ababa include Jomo Kenyatta Int'l, Dubai Int'l, Sharjah Int'l, Murtala Mohammed Int'l and Frankfurt Int'l.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
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Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Top Airlines
Operating at Addis Ababa Bole International AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ethiopian Airlines
ETH
/ ET
|
76 | 207 | 76 | Jan 29, 2026 |
FlyDubai
FDB
/ FZ
|
1 | 3 | 1 | Jul 23, 2025 |
Turkish Airlines
THY
/ TK
|
1 | 3 | 1 | Jan 17, 2026 |
Air Arabia
ABY
/ G9
|
1 | 2 | 1 | Jul 17, 2025 |
|
Badr Airlines
BDR
/ J4
|
1 | 2 | 1 | Jul 17, 2025 |
|
Kenya Airways
KQA
/ KQ
|
1 | 2 | 1 | Jul 17, 2025 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
07L/25R |
12139 ft | 148 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
07R/25L |
12467 ft | 148 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | APP | 119.7 MHz |
| ATIS | ATIS | 128.5 MHz |
| CTAF | oshkosh traffic | 118.5 MHz |
| East | Addis center | 125.2 MHz |
| GND | Bole GND | 121.9 MHz |
| TWR | TWR | 118.1 MHz |
| West | Addis center | 125.1 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Official, government-run yellow taxis with meters are available directly outside the terminals. Alternatively, you can use popular ride-hailing apps like RIDE and Feres, which often offer competitive pricing and can be booked via their mobile apps upon arrival. The older blue and white taxis are also present, but require negotiating the fare before starting your journey.
Rental Cars
Several car rental companies, including local agencies and some international brands, have desks inside the arrivals hall. It is highly recommended to book in advance for better rates and availability. Renting a car with a driver is a very common and practical option for visitors unfamiliar with local traffic conditions.
Public Transportation
Direct public transit from the airport terminal is limited. The city's public 'Anbessa' buses and shared minibuses operate on the main road (Bole Road), a short walk from the airport; they are very inexpensive but often crowded and challenging for visitors with luggage. The Addis Ababa Light Rail system's nearest station is a few kilometers away and requires a short taxi ride to access.