Ethiopia officially launched the construction of Bishoftu International Airport, set to become the largest airport in Africa, with a ceremony on 10 January 2026, marking the start of works at the site located about 45 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa, led by the state-owned carrier Ethiopian Airlines.
The launch ceremony was attended by the country’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, several ministers and representatives, and the Ethiopian Airlines management team and its CEO, Mesfin Tasew.
The Ethiopian government decided to develop a new airport in coordination with Ethiopian Airlines after studies showed that Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) would reach capacity within the next few years. In August 2024, Ethiopian Airlines signed a contract with Dar Al-Handasah to provide design, advisory, and construction supervision services for a “mega airport city” near Bishoftu.
“We are opening a new chapter that will redefine the continent’s ecosystem,” said Tasew at the ceremony. He added that the project will shape “the future of African air transport while meeting growing demand for our passengers and cargo services.”
The completion of Phase One is expected to be completed by 2030, with a capacity of 60 million passengers and parking for 180 aircraft. The project represents a significant expansion of the country’s aviation infrastructure, aiming to establish Ethiopia as a major regional and global air travel hub.
The project is estimated to cost around $12.5 billion in total. Ethiopian Airlines will contribute around 30% of this, with the remainder to be financed by a consortium of international lenders.
“Lenders from the Middle East, Europe, China, and the USA have shown strong interest in financing the project,” said Abraham Tesfaye, the airline’s Infrastructure Development & Planning Director.
Under the leadership of our respected Prime Minister, nothing is impossible 🇪🇹✈️
— Ubah Mohammed (@Ubah_Hussien) January 10, 2026
A new gateway to the future!
Bishoftu Airport rises as Ethiopia’s next aviation landmark—connecting dreams, trade, and tourism.
Welcome to the future of travel 🇪🇹#Ethiopia #BishoftuAirport pic.twitter.com/fONVjAvQNM
The African Development Bank, the Initial Mandated Lead Arranger (IMLA) for the project, has pledged $500 million and is spearheading efforts to mobilise up to $8.7 billion in financing from lenders in these regions. Talks are also underway with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), initiated by Beijing; the European Investment Bank (EIB); and the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
Around $610 million has already been allocated for the initial earthworks, which are expected to be completed within a year. The main construction phase is scheduled to begin in August 2026.
Once completed, Bishoftu International Airport will boast four runways and parking space for up to 270 aircraft. With a projected capacity of 110 million passengers per year, it will be more than four times larger than Ethiopia’s current main international airport and larger than Atlanta’s airport, which is currently the busiest in the world.
A glimpse into the future: See how Ethiopia’s Bishoftu International Airport will look once completed — Africa’s largest aviation project and a gateway to the skies. #Ethiopia #BishoftuAirport #aviation #africa
— Fana Media Corporation S.C. (FMC) (@fanatelevision) January 10, 2026
1/2 pic.twitter.com/GITsUdDHjD
The country’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, said on X that “Bishoftu International Airport will be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history.”
Bole International Airport (ADD) currently serves as the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines and handles around 25 million passengers per year. Ethiopian Airlines, the largest and most lucrative airline on the continent, has expanded its route network and revenues in recent years.
This new major African aviation hub is strategically placed between the Middle East/Asia and Europe, or the United States.
The $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport will serve as Ethiopia’s🇪🇹 new major international aviation hub.
— Kennedy Wandera (@KennedyWandera_) January 10, 2026
Features:
Four parallel runways, each designed for large wide body aircraft.
State-of-the-art passenger and cargo terminals.
110 million passengers annually.… pic.twitter.com/sfijhWnydI
Alongside the airport itself, the project includes the construction of a modern, multi-lane highway between Bishoftu and Addis Ababa, as well as plans for a high-speed rail link.
The development has necessitated the relocation of approximately 2,500 farmers, who were resettled at an estimated cost of $350 million.
Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country with around 130 million inhabitants, hopes that the new airport will boost tourism and strengthen its position as a major continental aviation and economic hub.
