Bishoftu: $12.5bn Africa’s Biggest Airport Takes Off

Ethiopia has begun construction of Bishoftu International Airport, which Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has described as ‘the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history.’

Zaha Hadid Architects designed the airport, which will be near Bishoftu, 40 km south of Addis Ababa, and run by Ethiopian Airlines.

“Bishoftu International Airport will be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history. The airport will have space to park 270 planes and capacity for 110 million passengers a year. 

“That is more than four times the capacity of Ethiopia’s current main airport, which will reach its limits on existing traffic in the next two to three years,” Abiy said on X.

The first phase of the airport, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, is set to open in 2030 and will feature a 660,000 square-metre terminal with two runways, handling 60 million passengers.

It is expected that 80% of passengers will transfer to connecting flights at the new airport, which will also feature a 350-room hotel to accommodate visitors.

A 38 km high-speed train and a motorway will link the airport to Addis Ababa.

According to Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, the project highlights “our commitment to shaping the future of African air transport while meeting the growing demand for passenger and cargo services”.

RELATED: Zaha Hadid Architects Unveils Bishoftu Airport Design

Ethiopian Airlines has already allocated $610 million for earthworks, which are due to be completed in one year, with the main contractors scheduled to start work in August 2026.

The project was initially billed at $10 billion.

Ethiopian Airlines will fund 30% and international lenders including African Development Bank (AfDB) will finance the rest. In August 2025, AfDB said it would lend $500 million and lead efforts to raise $8.7 billion.

“Bishoftu International Airport is a major step towards addressing the infrastructural gap in Africa and a key player in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Tasew further said.

Addis Ababa is currently served by Bole International Airport, which opened in 1962. 

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