In a landmark ceremony held on January 10, 2026, Ethiopian Airlines officially launched construction of the ambitious Bishoftu International Airport, a $12.5 billion mega-project poised to become the largest aviation infrastructure development in Africa’s history upon its completion in 2030.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who led the groundbreaking event at the site in Abusera near Bishoftu (approximately 45 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa), described the initiative as a transformative step to secure Ethiopia’s position as the continent’s premier air transport gateway. “Bishoftu International Airport will be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history,” Abiy declared on social media platform X, emphasizing its role in future-proofing the nation’s aviation sector amid rapid growth.
Here are exclusive glimpses of the project’s visionary design and the historic groundbreaking ceremony:
The state-owned Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest and most successful carrier, is spearheading the design and development of this four-runway facility. Once fully operational, the airport will boast the capacity to park up to 270 aircraft simultaneously and handle an astonishing 110 million passengers annually—more than four times the projected saturation point of the current hub, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which is expected to reach its limits within the next two to three years due to surging passenger and cargo traffic.
The project, initially estimated at $10 billion, has seen its budget revised upward to $12.5 billion to accommodate advanced features, including state-of-the-art terminals spanning over a million square meters, extensive cargo handling facilities, and integrated support infrastructure. Ethiopian Airlines will fund 30% of the total cost, having already committed $610 million for the initial phase of earthworks, which are slated for completion within one year. Major construction on the terminal and other core elements is set to commence in August 2026.
Financing for the remaining 70% is being mobilized through a consortium of international lenders. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged $500 million and is leading efforts to secure an additional $8.7 billion, with strong interest expressed by financiers from the Middle East, Europe, China, and the United States. This broad-based support underscores the project’s strategic importance for continental connectivity, trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), tourism, and economic integration.
Ethiopian Airlines continues its impressive expansion trajectory, having added six new routes in the 2024/25 financial year while recording robust revenue growth. The new airport aligns perfectly with the airline’s long-term Vision 2040 roadmap, which aims to elevate it to one of the world’s top global carriers.
Beyond alleviating congestion at Bole Airport, Bishoftu is envisioned as an “airport city” that will spur job creation, attract investment, boost tourism to Ethiopia and East Africa, and forge new intercontinental travel corridors. Experts anticipate it will redefine air travel efficiency across the continent, positioning Ethiopia as a competitive rival to global hubs like those in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed lays the cornerstone during the official launch ceremony on January 10, 2026:
The initiative arrives at a pivotal moment for Ethiopia’s economy, which has weathered internal challenges in recent years yet continues to prioritize large-scale infrastructure as a driver of long-term development and regional influence.
