In a bold move set to transform African aviation, Ethiopian Airlines has announced plans to build the continent’s largest airport, with a staggering investment of $6 billion.
The new facility, designed to handle up to 100 million passengers annually, will solidify Ethiopia’s position as a leading hub for global air travel.
Ethiopian Airlines, already Africa’s largest carrier, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dar, a Dubai-based consultancy firm, to develop the design for the expansive airport, which will feature four runways. The airport is to be built in Bishoftu, approximately 40 kilometers southeast of the capital, Addis Ababa, and will cover an area of 35 square kilometers.
Mesfin Tasew, the airline’s CEO, highlighted that the first phase of the project will include constructing facilities capable of accommodating 60 million passengers annually. Upon completion of the second phase, the airport’s capacity will exceed 100 million passengers per year, positioning it as a crucial gateway for international travel.
Ethiopian Airlines, which reported a revenue of $7 billion for the 2023/24 financial year, transported 17.1 million passengers, underscoring its role as a key player in the global aviation industry. The existing Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, currently the airline’s main hub, has a maximum capacity of 25 million passengers annually, making the new development a monumental leap forward for the nation’s aviation infrastructure.
This ambitious project reflects Ethiopia’s growing economic influence and its strategic ambition to become a central hub for air travel in Africa and beyond. As construction begins, the world will be watching closely to see how this ambitious endeavor reshapes the aviation landscape on the continent.