Africa’s biggest airport project officially began construction on January 10, 2026, as Ethiopian Airlines led the groundbreaking of a new mega-airport outside Addis Ababa that is set to transform the continent’s aviation landscape. According to Reuters journalist Dawit Endeshaw for Reuters, Prime Minister Abiy described the development as “the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history” at the ceremony in Bishoftu, roughly 45 kilometers southeast of the capital.
The Bishoftu airport project is valued at $12.5 billion and is planned for completion by 2030. When finished, the facility will feature four runways, parking for 270 aircraft, and the capacity to handle up to 110 million passengers annually, dwarfing the current capacity of Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport.
Planning and Financing of Africa’s Biggest Airport
Ethiopian Airlines will fund approximately 30 percent of the project, while the remainder will be financed by an international consortium of lenders. The African Development Bank has already committed $500 million and is coordinating broader financing efforts that include institutions from the Middle East, Europe, China, and the United States.
Initial earthworks are under way with a $610 million allocation, and main construction activity is scheduled to begin in August 2026. Planners revised the project budget upward from an earlier $10 billion estimate as design and scope were refined.
Strategic Transport Impact
A Milestone in Ethiopian Aviation News
- Current hub constraints: Bole International Airport, Ethiopia’s primary gateway, handles about 25 million passengers yearly and is expected to reach its capacity limits within the next two to three years.
- Regional connectivity: The new airport aligns with Addis Ababa’s vision to consolidate its role as a primary transit point connecting Africa with Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Economic catalyst: Officials cite expected growth in trade, tourism, and logistics, bolstering Ethiopia’s positioning under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Technical and Operational Features
Bishoftu Airport Project Highlights
- Four runways designed for heavy intercontinental traffic.
- Capacity for 110 million annual passengers.
- Parking for 270 aircraft.
- Integrated ground transportation, including high-speed rail and multi-lane road access, improving connections with Addis Ababa.
Context: Ethiopia’s Long-Term Aviation Strategy
Ethiopia aims to future-proof its aviation sector amid rapid growth across African markets. Demand for air travel on the continent has risen faster than global averages in recent years, a trend underscored by IATA projections showing consistent year-on-year growth in both passenger and cargo traffic. While ICAO does not prescribe airport construction standards, member states leverage ICAO frameworks for air navigation planning and safety compliance as they build new infrastructure.
The new facility is also expected to support Ethiopian Airlines’ continued expansion of routes and fleet, including direct services to intercontinental destinations, and address altitude and capacity constraints that limit operations at Bole.
Economic and Geographic Significance
Analysts note that positioning the airport near Bishoftu allows for lower elevation operations, improving aircraft performance such as fuel load and payload compared with the higher altitude Bole hub, potentially enabling new long-haul services without payload restrictions. Independent industry observers cite this as a critical advantage for a future global hub.
What’s Next – Industry Outlook
With construction now underway on Africa’s biggest airport, the continent’s aviation sector enters a new phase of infrastructure expansion. Over the next decade:
- Capacity reshaping: Bishoftu is expected to absorb significant passenger growth, potentially surpassing other African hubs in volume and connectivity.
- Logistics and cargo impact: Enhanced capacity could make Ethiopia a leading cargo transfer point, boosting export sectors such as horticulture and coffee.
- Regional integration: The airport will play a pivotal role in achieving deeper African aviation integration under AfCFTA objectives.
Stakeholders will watch financing progress and downstream effects on existing airports, airlines, and route networks as Ethiopia pursues its hub ambitions.
Sources
- Reuters: “Ethiopia begins $12.5 billion construction of ‘Africa’s biggest airport,” details passenger capacity and construction timeline.
- Qatar Civil Aviation Authority report highlights a strategic objective to future-proof Ethiopia’s role as a leading air transport gateway with higher capacity infrastructure.
- Sunrise News highlights planned cargo terminals and logistics facilities integrated into the airport’s infrastructure.
- Ethiopian News Agency describes the cargo terminal capacity and integration of logistics, hotel, and support infrastructure.
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