Ethiopian Airlines initiated a $12.5 billion construction project for Africa’s largest airport in Bishoftu, set for completion in 2030.
Located 45 km southeast of Addis Ababa, the airport will feature four runways, parking for 270 planes, and an annual passenger capacity of 110 million, surpassing the current main airport’s capacity more than fourfold.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali highlighted this as Africa’s largest aviation infrastructure endeavor. Ethiopian Airlines will fund 30% of the project, with lenders covering the remainder, including a $500 million loan from the African Development Bank.
The project initially estimated at $10 billion has attracted interest from Middle Eastern, European, Chinese, and American financiers. Earthworks, set to be completed within a year, have a budget of $610 million, with main construction scheduled to begin in August 2026.
Ethiopian Airlines continues to expand, adding routes and increasing revenues.
With information from Reuters