DEBRE MARKOS, Ethiopia — Marking a major milestone for regional connectivity and economic development, Ethiopian Airlines has officially inaugurated its highly anticipated direct passenger service between Addis Ababa and Debre Markos. The inaugural flight was met with vibrant celebrations, signaling a new chapter for the historic capital of the East Gojjam Zone in the Amhara Regional State.
A high-level government delegation—including Amhara Regional State Chief Minister Arega Kebede and Industry Minister Melaku Alebel, alongside senior airline executives—were among the first passengers to land at the newly upgraded Debre Markos Airport (IATA: DBM).
The delegation was greeted with a massive, bright welcome by local residents, cultural troupes, and town officials who gathered to celebrate the completion of the airport’s critical construction phases and the formal commencement of scheduled operations.
Enhancing Connectivity and Regional Commerce
Prior to the launch of this air link, traveling the roughly 188 kilometers (117 \text{ miles}) between Addis Ababa and Debre Markos required a lengthy, unpredictable road journey via the main north-south highway. The new non-stop flight drastically reduces travel times to just 1 hour.
The state-owned carrier—the largest network operating airline in Africa—is utilizing its highly efficient De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 turboprop aircraft for the route. Initially, flights are scheduled to operate twice a week, providing a reliable and fast transport alternative for business travelers, government officials, and tourists alike.
“Strengthening national connectivity is a core pillar of our multi-hub strategy,” stated Ethiopian Airlines executives during the launch. “The addition of Debre Markos will act as a major catalyst for regional trade, improve public service delivery, and open up the agricultural and industrial potential of the Gojjam area to broader domestic and international markets.”
A Boost for Tourism and Local Industry
The timing of the flight launch aligns perfectly with Ethiopia’s aggressive push to modernize its domestic aviation infrastructure. With the construction of the modern passenger terminal and runway infrastructure at Debre Markos Airport now complete, the city is positioned to become a strategic transit hub.
Local officials anticipate the flights will bring distinct advantages to the region:
- Agricultural Trade: Faster links to Addis Ababa will enable swift transport of high-value goods and agricultural products unique to the region.
- Industrial Investment: The presence of Industry Minister Melaku Alebel highlights the government’s intent to attract manufacturing and investment into Debre Markos’ growing industrial zones.
- Tourism Gateway: Debre Markos serves as a vital gateway to historical and natural attractions in northwest Ethiopia, making it easier for international travelers landing at Bole International Airport to seamlessly transition to regional excursions.
Flight Schedule Overview
For travelers looking to book, the current flight schedule operates as follows:
Route Flight No. Departure Arrival Frequency Aircraft Type Addis Ababa (ADD) \rightarrow Debre Markos (DBM) ET 160 12:05 PM 1:05 PM 2x per week Dash 8-Q400 Debre Markos (DBM) \rightarrow Addis Ababa (ADD) ET 161 1:35 PM 2:35 PM 2x per week Dash 8-Q400 With Debre Markos now fully integrated into the network, Ethiopian Airlines continues to solidify its footprint, expanding its vast domestic web to 26 destinations across the country. Bookings and ticket services are now fully operational at both the Addis Ababa hubs and the newly established Ethiopian Airlines city office in Debre Markos.
DEBRE MARKOS, Ethiopia — Marking a major milestone for regional connectivity and economic development, Ethiopian Airlines has officially inaugurated its highly anticipated direct passenger service between Addis Ababa and Debre Markos. The inaugural flight was met with vibrant celebrations, signaling a new chapter for the historic capital of the East Gojjam Zone in the Amhara Regional State.
A high-level government delegation—including Amhara Regional State Chief Minister Arega Kebede and Industry Minister Melaku Alebel, alongside senior airline executives—were among the first passengers to land at the newly upgraded Debre Markos Airport (IATA: DBM).
The delegation was greeted with a massive, bright welcome by local residents, cultural troupes, and town officials who gathered to celebrate the completion of the airport’s critical construction phases and the formal commencement of scheduled operations.
Enhancing Connectivity and Regional Commerce
Prior to the launch of this air link, traveling the roughly 188 kilometers (117 \text{ miles}) between Addis Ababa and Debre Markos required a lengthy, unpredictable road journey via the main north-south highway. The new non-stop flight drastically reduces travel times to just 1 hour.
The state-owned carrier—the largest network operating airline in Africa—is utilizing its highly efficient De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 turboprop aircraft for the route. Initially, flights are scheduled to operate twice a week, providing a reliable and fast transport alternative for business travelers, government officials, and tourists alike.
“Strengthening national connectivity is a core pillar of our multi-hub strategy,” stated Ethiopian Airlines executives during the launch. “The addition of Debre Markos will act as a major catalyst for regional trade, improve public service delivery, and open up the agricultural and industrial potential of the Gojjam area to broader domestic and international markets.”
A Boost for Tourism and Local Industry
The timing of the flight launch aligns perfectly with Ethiopia’s aggressive push to modernize its domestic aviation infrastructure. With the construction of the modern passenger terminal and runway infrastructure at Debre Markos Airport now complete, the city is positioned to become a strategic transit hub.
Local officials anticipate the flights will bring distinct advantages to the region:
- Agricultural Trade: Faster links to Addis Ababa will enable swift transport of high-value goods and agricultural products unique to the region.
- Industrial Investment: The presence of Industry Minister Melaku Alebel highlights the government’s intent to attract manufacturing and investment into Debre Markos’ growing industrial zones.
- Tourism Gateway: Debre Markos serves as a vital gateway to historical and natural attractions in northwest Ethiopia, making it easier for international travelers landing at Bole International Airport to seamlessly transition to regional excursions.
Flight Schedule Overview
For travelers looking to book, the current flight schedule operates as follows:
Route Flight No. Departure Arrival Frequency Aircraft Type Addis Ababa (ADD) \rightarrow Debre Markos (DBM) ET 160 12:05 PM 1:05 PM 2x per week Dash 8-Q400 Debre Markos (DBM) \rightarrow Addis Ababa (ADD) ET 161 1:35 PM 2:35 PM 2x per week Dash 8-Q400 With Debre Markos now fully integrated into the network, Ethiopian Airlines continues to solidify its footprint, expanding its vast domestic web to 26 destinations across the country. Bookings and ticket services are now fully operational at both the Addis Ababa hubs and the newly established Ethiopian Airlines city office in Debre Markos.
