Piime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) on Saturday laid the cornerstone for the Bishoftu International Airport, marking the formal launch of what is expected to become Africa’s largest aviation infrastructure project.
The new mega airport is being developed to support Ethiopia’s fast-growing aviation sector and the expanding global network of Ethiopian Airlines. It will complement Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which currently serves around twenty-five million passengers annually and is nearing its expanded capacity.
In a statement following the ceremony, the Prime Minister said the project forms part of Ethiopia’s broader strategy to sustain rapid aviation growth and strengthen the country’s position as Africa’s leading air transport gateway.
The Bishoftu International Airport aligns with Ethiopia’s national economic reform programme, industrial expansion agenda and long-term aviation strategy. Once completed, it is expected to strengthen Ethiopian Airlines’ global competitiveness, enhance Africa’s connectivity under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), expand trade and tourism corridors, and position Ethiopia as a major intercontinental aviation hub.
The airport is located about forty kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa at an altitude of 1,910 metres, offering favourable conditions for aircraft operations. Its proximity to the capital is expected to allow seamless integration with the country’s existing aviation and transport infrastructure.
According to Ethiopian Airlines, the ten billion US dollar project will feature four runways and a 1.1 million square metre terminal, making it the largest airport in Africa by capacity. The first phase is designed to handle sixty million passengers annually, with later phases expanding capacity to 110 million passengers and 3.73 million tonnes of cargo per year.
Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in 2030.
The development is intended to ease congestion at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport while supporting Ethiopian Airlines’ long-term growth strategy. The project is a key pillar of the carrier’s Vision 2035 plan, which includes expanding the fleet from 145 to 271 aircraft and increasing international destinations from 133 to 207.
Preparatory work for the project has already been completed, with community resettlement and farmer relocation under way. Financing arrangements are being finalised, with the African Development Bank expected to facilitate the majority of funding alongside Ethiopian Airlines’ own contribution.
Ethiopian Airlines has also outlined a phased construction plan, with early works set to begin in November 2025 and the main engineering, procurement and construction contracts scheduled for October 2026. The full facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2030.
Once operational, the Bishoftu airport is expected to anchor an airport city featuring shopping malls, hotels and recreational facilities, further boosting Ethiopia’s role as a regional and global aviation hub.