bishoftu – Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has formally started construction of its Bishoftu International AirportA US$12.5 billion Greenfield development that is ready to be built Africa’s largest airport once completed.
The project, located near the town of Bishoftu in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, was inaugurated 10 January 2026Currently construction work is going on. The development will be done in phases The first phase is targeted to be completed by 2030According to the airline.
A new African aviation mega-hub
Designed as the continental gateway of the future, Bishoftu International Airport will feature four runways and for aircraft parking capacity up to 270 aircraftThe plan is to take over the airport once it is fully operational, approximately 110 million passengers annuallyWhich places it among the largest aviation centers in the world.
The airport is expected to get facilities even in the initial phase. up to 60 million passengers per year generate more employment Over 26,000 aviation professionalsUnderlining the scale of investment.
The pressure on Addis Ababa is decreasing
New airport aims to reduce congestion Addis Ababa Bole International AirportCurrently the main international gateway to Ethiopia. Bole Airport, located approximately 45 kilometers (28 mi) From the Bishoftu site, it is projected to reach its operational capacity within next two to three yearsEthiopian officials have warned.
Although the new airport has not yet been assigned its own IATA or ICAO code, it is being positioned as one Strategic Logistics, Cargo and Connectivity HubThe aim is to strengthen Ethiopia’s role in global aviation and bridge Africa’s long-standing infrastructure gap.
Financing and Timeline
Ethiopian Airlines plans funding about 30% The entire financing of the project will be done directly from financial institutions Africa, Middle East, Europe, China and United StatesThe airline has already committed US$610 million For preliminary earthworks while major construction activities are about to begin August 2026,
basically estimated 10 billion us dollarsThe project budget was revised upward US$12.5 billion As the scale and scope of development increased.
strategic importance
Once completed, Bishoftu International Airport is expected to replace Ethiopian Airlines’ hub-and-spoke operations, provide long-term capacity for fleet growth and strengthen Addis Ababa’s position as a major intercontinental transfer point. Africa, Europe, Asia and America,
