Yabelo Airport Pathway to Ethiopia's Collective Dreams: Deputy PM Temesgen

Addis Ababa, August 31, 2025 (ENA) -- Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh underlined that the newly inaugurated Yabelo Airport is more than just a runway and taxiway—“it is a pathway to realizing our collective dreams.”

The Deputy PM has inaugurated Ethiopian Airlines’ airport project at Yabelo, the Southern part of Oromia Regional State, alongside a new, thrice-weekly passenger service to the airport.

“Today, we inaugurated the Yabelo Airport, a new gateway of hope and development for the Borena people. This airport answers their long-standing call for progress and stands as a bridge connecting history with the future, heritage with advancement, and people with opportunity—opening horizons of connection and promise,” Deputy PM Temesgen remarked on a social media post.

For generations, he noted that the Borena people have served as guardians of Ethiopia’s border, keepers of the ancient Gada system, and exemplars of peace, justice, and freedom.

Temesgen further added that the people of Borena have shown remarkable resilience, overcoming severe droughts through their extraordinary wisdom in water management.

“With today’s inauguration, the Borena Zone gains a vital opportunity to showcase its rich cultural heritage and natural treasures, to expand market access, and to unlock new tourism routes,” he pointed out.

At the same time, the Deputy PM said, “This expansion of our domestic air transport system strengthens bonds among our people and brings us closer to our shared dream of building a nation that is accessible, connected, and prosperous for all.”

He also congratulated the people of Borena and the surrounding areas on this historic milestone—the opening of the Yabelo Airport.

"After enduring persistent drought, we are now on a path to sustainably alleviate the problem in Borena," said the Deputy Prime Minister, adding that "our Green Legacy initiative will ensure that drought and famine become a thing of the past and not a part of our present or future."

Noting that the government is prioritizing the expansion of domestic air travel to drive rapid development across the country, Temesgen said the newly opened Yabelo airport is a key part of this strategy, fulfilling a long-standing demand from the Borana Zone and creating new opportunities to tap into the region's potential.

In addition to serving as a transportation hub, the airport will allow visitors to experience the Borana culture, including its history, the Gadaa system, and natural sites like the Yabelo Bird Sanctuary and Borana Park, he pointed out.  

Temesgen further noted that Ethiopian Airlines is a vital link, connecting not only Ethiopia and Africa to the global community but also strengthening domestic bonds by flying people across the country.

The Deputy Prime Minister has assured that the government remains committed to helping the airline grow and modernize its air travel services.