By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
Ethiopia, July 13 2026 – Ethiopia on Sunday reopened Debre Markos Airport in the Amhara region after nearly 30 years, following a major reconstruction that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said would boost trade, investment and tourism.
Speaking at the inauguration of the newly rebuilt King Tekle Haymanot Airport, Abiy said the facility had been modernized and upgraded to accommodate larger passenger and cargo aircraft after remaining inactive for almost three decades.
"Today, we officially inaugurated the King Tekle Haymanot Airport, which the people of Debre Markos and the surrounding communities had eagerly awaited for many years," Abiy said in a post on X.
The airport features a 2,400-metre runway measuring 30 metres wide, enabling it to handle aircraft including the De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400 and the Boeing 737, according to the prime minister.
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Abiy said the airport is expected to operate three flights a day, improving transport links between Debre Markos and other parts of Ethiopia while supporting economic activity in the region.
"The commencement of operations at this airport will significantly stimulate trade, investment and tourism in the area, opening a new chapter for the economic growth of the area and our country as a whole," he said.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, Amhara Regional President Arega Kebede, Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Mesfin Tasew, and other senior federal and regional officials.
The reopening forms part of Ethiopia's broader infrastructure programme, under which the government has invested in expanding the country's transport network to improve domestic connectivity and support economic development.