Ethiopia is moving forward with an ambitious project to build Africa’s largest airport, aiming to position itself as a major hub for international air travel on the continent. The new airport, projected to cost $6 billion, is set to be located in Bishoftu, approximately 45 kilometres from the capital of Addis Ababa and will significantly enhance Ethiopia’s aviation infrastructure. The project is designed to accommodate the rapidly growing demand for air travel in the region and to bolster the nation’s role as a key transit point for global travellers.
The new facility, called Abusera Airport, is projected to handle up to 100 million passengers annually. This capacity would make it not only the largest in Africa but also one of the most significant aviation hubs worldwide. The scale of the project is comparable to some of the busiest airports globally, such as Dubai International Airport which currently accomodates the same figure.
As Ethiopian Airlines is the most lucrative African global airline, this decision comes as an opportunity to aid further growth of the country’s flagship air carrier. A revenue of $7 billion and seating of 17 million passengers was revealed last month for the year 2023-24, with the potential to generate much more. Currently, a major setback is that the airline’s current hub, Bole Addis Ababa International Airport, is reaching its capacity limits, prompting the need for expanded infrastructure.
The new airport will provide Ethiopian Airlines with the facilities necessary to continue its expansion and to compete with other major airlines in the region, so the airline has recently signed an agreement with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, a partner with the world-renowned signature architects Zaha Hadid Architects, for the “design and supervision of a Mega Airport City at Abusera in Bishoftu city.”
“”It is a five-year project (that) will be finalised in 2029. The first phase includes the construction of the airport facility with a capacity of 60 million passengers per year and the completion of phase two of the airport project will grow to handling more than 100 million passengers per year,” said Mesfin Tasew Bekele, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group.
Construction on the new airport is expected to begin soon, with the first phase expected to be in operation by 2029, however further specific timelines and budget details have not been fully disclosed. The project will likely involve significant international investment, given the scale and complexity of the undertaking.
By establishing Africa’s largest airport, Ethiopia not only seeks to address current aviation demands but also to position itself as a central player in the global aviation industry. The country has long been a crossroad for trade and travel, sitting between Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The potential of this project could have far-reaching implications, potentially reshaping air travel patterns across the continent and beyond.
