Ethiopian Airlines has officially commenced construction of a $12.5 billion airport project in Bishoftu, a town about 45 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa. When completed in 2030, the Bishoftu International Airport is expected to become the largest airport in Africa. The four-runway facility will have parking space for 270 aircraft and a projected annual passenger capacity of 110 million, according to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.
The new airport is designed to relieve pressure on Ethiopia’s existing main airport, which authorities say will reach its capacity limits within the next two to three years. Ethiopian Airlines, which holds the design contract, plans to fund 30 percent of the project, with the remaining financing to come from lenders. The airline has already committed $610 million to earthworks scheduled for completion within a year.
The African Development Bank has pledged $500 million and is coordinating efforts to raise additional financing. Lenders from the Middle East, Europe, China, and the United States have also shown strong interest, reflecting confidence in the expansion plans of Africa’s largest airline.
