Mekelle/Tel Aviv/Nairobi/Pretoria/London
Ethiopia Launches Construction of Bishoftu International Airport in Major Aviation Expansion
Written By Chekole Alemu
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed this morning laid the cornerstone for the construction of Bishoftu International Airport, a landmark infrastructure project intended to anchor Ethiopia’s long term aviation strategy and support the rapid expansion of Ethiopian Airlines.
In a statement shared on social media, the Prime Minister said the new airport is being developed alongside Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which is approaching its expanded handling capacity of 25 million passengers per year. He described the project as part of a multi airport system designed to secure Ethiopia’s position as Africa’s leading air transport hub.
According to the Prime Minister, Bishoftu International Airport will be the largest aviation infrastructure project ever undertaken on the continent. He said it aligns with Ethiopia’s national economic reforms, industrialization drive, and broader vision to strengthen connectivity, trade, and tourism across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
The airport will be located about 40 kilometers from Addis Ababa at an altitude of 1,910 meters. Officials say the site offers favorable conditions for aircraft performance and efficient passenger handling, while remaining close enough to the capital to integrate with the existing aviation ecosystem centered around Ethiopian Airlines.
Project documents released by Ethiopian Airlines indicate that the airport will be developed in phases. The first phase is expected to be completed by 2030 and will accommodate up to 60 million passengers annually. Once fully built, the airport’s master plan capacity is projected to reach 110 million passengers per year, a scale that would place Ethiopia among the world’s largest aviation hubs.
Ethiopian Airlines Group, the project sponsor, says the development is intended to ease capacity constraints at Bole International Airport and support the airline’s growing global network. Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew described the project as a historic step for African aviation, stating that it would enhance trade, tourism, and business connectivity across the continent and beyond.
Financing and technical arrangements for the project are already taking shape. The African Development Bank has been appointed as the Initial Mandated Lead Arranger, while Dar Al Handasah Consultants and KPMG are serving as technical and financial advisors. Clyde and Co is acting as legal advisor. Ethiopian Airlines has also released key project documents to prospective lenders, signaling progress toward financial close.
In parallel, the airline has announced that prequalification of engineering, procurement, and construction contractors is underway, with bid submissions expected by mid December 2025. The project is also set to be showcased at the Africa Investment Forum Market Days in Rabat, Morocco, where it is expected to attract interest from development finance institutions, commercial banks, and institutional investors.
With an estimated first phase cost of around 12.5 billion US dollars and long term passenger growth projections extending to 2040 and beyond, Bishoftu International Airport is emerging as one of Ethiopia’s most ambitious infrastructure investments. Analysts say its success will depend on sustained traffic growth, effective project execution, and the country’s ability to maintain its role as a stable and competitive aviation hub in an increasingly crowded regional market.
If completed as planned, the project would significantly expand Ethiopia’s aviation capacity and reinforce Ethiopian Airlines’ position as a leading global carrier, while reshaping Africa’s air transport landscape.
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