Gallery: Inside Ethiopian Airlines’ New E-Commerce Logistics Facility
Keith Mwanalushi March 13, 2024
Grand Opening
Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics unveiled a new e-commerce logistics facility at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, which is the first of its kind in Africa. Aviation Week attended the inaugural ceremony in late February.

Supporting Freighter Ops
The $55 million, 15,000 m2 (approximately 16,146 ft.2) facility has capacity to handle up to 150,000 tons of goods annually, supported by a fleet of 16 dedicated freighters and passenger belly space.

Growing Freighter Fleet
According to Aviation Week Network’s 2024 Commercial Fleet and MRO Forecast, Ethiopian Airlines’ freighter fleet currently includes 10 Boeing 777-200Fs, four 737-800s and two 767-300Fs. It is also planning to convert some of its De Havilland Dash 8-400s to freighters as part of fleet expansion plans.

Construction Project
The facility was built over a 2.5-year period by Chinese aerospace conglomerate AVIC. Ethiopian engineers were responsible for managing the project.

Technology Upgrade
New technologies and systems will allow for easier sorting, repacking and labeling by operators.

Automated Conveyor System
An automated conveyor system will sort packages dedicated to e-commerce, mail and courier deliveries more quickly and efficiently. Customers will also be able to track and trace items throughout the process

New Systems
Meticulously implemented systems will offer consolidation and de-consolidation services, such as when a shipment requires delivery to multiple end customers.

Increasing Volumes
As e-commerce volumes gradually increase, the facility will be used for mail and parcel services.

Global E-Commerce Ops
Goods from e-commerce partners such as Alibaba and Amazon will be sorted at the facility and distributed to global markets, including African freighter and belly cargo routes.

Enabling African Trade
Ethiopian hopes the new facility will aid trade links between African countries and enable a culture change on how e-commerce is delivered.

Grand Opening
Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics unveiled a new e-commerce logistics facility at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, which is the first of its kind in Africa. Aviation Week attended the inaugural ceremony in late February.

Supporting Freighter Ops
The $55 million, 15,000 m2 (approximately 16,146 ft.2) facility has capacity to handle up to 150,000 tons of goods annually, supported by a fleet of 16 dedicated freighters and passenger belly space.

Growing Freighter Fleet
According to Aviation Week Network’s 2024 Commercial Fleet and MRO Forecast, Ethiopian Airlines’ freighter fleet currently includes 10 Boeing 777-200Fs, four 737-800s and two 767-300Fs. It is also planning to convert some of its De Havilland Dash 8-400s to freighters as part of fleet expansion plans.

Construction Project
The facility was built over a 2.5-year period by Chinese aerospace conglomerate AVIC. Ethiopian engineers were responsible for managing the project.

Technology Upgrade
New technologies and systems will allow for easier sorting, repacking and labeling by operators.

Automated Conveyor System
An automated conveyor system will sort packages dedicated to e-commerce, mail and courier deliveries more quickly and efficiently. Customers will also be able to track and trace items throughout the process

New Systems
Meticulously implemented systems will offer consolidation and de-consolidation services, such as when a shipment requires delivery to multiple end customers.

Increasing Volumes
As e-commerce volumes gradually increase, the facility will be used for mail and parcel services.

Global E-Commerce Ops
Goods from e-commerce partners such as Alibaba and Amazon will be sorted at the facility and distributed to global markets, including African freighter and belly cargo routes.

Enabling African Trade
Ethiopian hopes the new facility will aid trade links between African countries and enable a culture change on how e-commerce is delivered.
Aviation Week takes a look inside Ethiopian Airlines' new e-commerce logistics facility at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa.