Bishoftu, Ethiopia: Ethiopian Airlines has launched construction of a $12.5 billion airport project that officials say will become the largest aviation hub in Africa when completed by 2030.
The new Bishoftu International Airport is being built in the town of Bishoftu, about 45 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa. The state-owned airline has been awarded the contract to design the four-runway facility, marking one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the country.
Once operational, the airport is expected to handle up to 110 million passengers annually and provide parking space for around 270 aircraft. This would make it more than four times larger than Addis Ababa’s existing Bole International Airport, which authorities say is nearing its maximum capacity and could be unable to cope with rising traffic within the next two to three years.
የቢሾፍቱ አለምአቀፍ አውሮፕላን ማረፍያ ግንባታ ማስጀመርያ pic.twitter.com/gY6q0JuYEa
— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) January 10, 2026
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali described the project as a landmark development for Ethiopia and the continent, highlighting its scale and strategic importance for Africa’s aviation sector.
Ethiopian Airlines’ Infrastructure Development and Planning Director, Abraham Tesfaye, said the airline would finance about 30 percent of the total cost, with the remaining funds coming from international lenders.
The carrier has already set aside $610 million for earthworks, which are expected to be completed within a year. Major contractors are scheduled to begin construction work in August 2026. The airport was initially projected to cost $10 billion, but estimates have since been revised upward as the scope of the project expanded.
To sustain Ethiopia’s rapid aviation growth and Ethiopian Airlines’ expanding global network, a new mega hub is being developed alongside Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which is nearing its expanded capacity of 25 million passengers annually. This multi-airport strategy… pic.twitter.com/AQvCPrMAhZ
— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) January 10, 2026
Several international financiers have expressed interest in supporting the development. The African Development Bank said in August that it would provide a $500 million loan and help mobilise up to $8.7 billion from other sources. According to Abraham, lenders from the Middle East, Europe, China, and the United States are also keen to participate.
Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s largest carrier and continues to expand its network. The airline added six new routes in the 2024/25 financial year and reported steady growth in revenues.
