London-based developer iniBuilds has announced that its highly anticipated rendition of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (HAAB) for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has entered its final development stages. Founded in 2018, the studio has evolved from crafting dynamic lighting and ground profiles into a premier developer of comprehensive aircraft and airport scenery.
Capturing the distinct character and scale of one of Africa’s premier aviation hubs has been central to the project from inception. The studio noted that bringing this high-fidelity African gateway to life addresses a long-standing gap in a simulation market historically dominated by North American and European sceneries.
As the primary operational base for Ethiopian Airlines—Africa’s largest and most decorated carrier—HAAB serves as a vital intercontinental crossroads. Established in 1945, the airline operates a youthful fleet of over 145 aircraft, connecting more than 145 global destinations. With a terminal capacity handling 25 million passengers annually, the airport offers virtual aviators diverse route possibilities, ranging from swift regional hops to complex ultra-long-haul journeys.
What truly distinguishes HAAB in the virtual skies is its formidable elevation. Situated more than 7,600 feet above sea level, it ranks among the highest major international airports globally.
This high-altitude environment fundamentally transforms simulation physics. The thin air reduces engine performance and aerodynamic lift, requiring virtual pilots to execute extended takeoff rolls and master precise weight and balance calculations, particularly for heavy widebody departures from the dual parallel runways.
The upcoming add-on captures the airport’s distinct character down to the finest structural detail. The landside environment features meticulously modeled architecture, including Terminal 2, bilingual wayfinding, illuminated welcome arches bearing ancient Ge’ez script, and a nostalgic vintage Ethiopian Airlines DC-3 displayed on a central fountain roundabout.
Engineered using the advanced capabilities of the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 SDK, the scenery delivers optimized level-of-detail modeling, custom runway and apron textures, and dynamic, atmospheric lighting.
Positioned as an ideal hub for iniBuilds’ own airliner lineup, the scenery mirrors Ethiopian Airlines’ real-world operational identity. While a definitive release date and pricing remain unannounced, the developer has indicated an imminent launch, promising a demanding and refreshing frontier for virtual aviators worldwide.
