Ethiopia has officially broken ground on the Bishoftu International Airport, a massive $12.5 billion project set to become Africa’s largest aviation hub. Located 40–45 km southeast of Addis Ababa, this "mega-hub" is designed to handle 110 million passengers annually—more than four times the capacity of the current Bole International Airport.
Project Highlights
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Scale: The facility will feature four parallel runways and parking for up to 270 aircraft.
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Phased Opening: The first phase is slated for completion in 2030, providing an initial capacity for 60 million passengers.
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Financing: Ethiopian Airlines is covering 30% of the cost ($610 million already allocated for earthworks), with the rest backed by a consortium including the African Development Bank ($500M loan) and lenders from the Middle East, China, Europe, and the US.
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Connectivity: To bridge the distance to the capital, plans include a high-speed rail link and a multi-lane highway.
The project aims to solidify Ethiopia’s role as the primary gateway for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and compete with global hubs like Dubai and London Heathrow.
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