Ethiopia to build Africa’s largest airport by 2029

Ethiopia is pushing ahead with an ambitious project to build Africa’s largest airport, aiming to position itself as a major international air travel hub on the continent. The new airport, estimated to cost $6 billion, will be built in Bishoftu, about 45 kilometers from the capital Addis Ababa, and will significantly improve Ethiopia’s air infrastructure. The project is designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for air travel in the region and strengthen the country’s role as a major transit point for travelers from all over the world.

The new facility, called Abusera Airport, is expected 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 important air transport hubs in the world. The scale of the project is comparable to some of the busiest airports in the world, such as Dubai International Airport, which currently handles the same number of passengers.

With Ethiopian Airlines being Africa’s most lucrative global airline, this decision presents an opportunity to encourage further growth of the country’s flagship carrier. Last month, it announced revenues of $7 billion and a capacity of 17 million passengers for the year 2023-24, with the potential to generate much more. A major setback at present is that the airline’s current hub, Bole Addis Ababa International Airport, is reaching its capacity limits, necessitating an expansion of infrastructure.

The new airport will provide Ethiopian Airlines with the necessary facilities to continue its expansion and compete with other major airlines in the region. As such, the airline recently signed a contract with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, a partner of the world-renowned architectural firm Zaha Hadid Architects, to “design and oversee a Mega Airport City at Abusera in the town of Bishoftu.”

“It is a five-year project that will be completed in 2029. The first phase will include the construction of the airport facility with a capacity of 60 million passengers per year and with the completion of the second phase of the airport project, it will handle more than 100 million passengers per year,” said Mesfin Tasew Bekele, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group.

Construction of the new airport is expected to begin soon, with the first phase expected to be operational in 2029. However, more precise timelines and budget details have not yet been announced. Given the scale and complexity of the undertaking, the project will likely require significant international investment.

By building Africa’s largest airport, Ethiopia aims not only to meet current aviation needs but also to position itself as a key player in the global aviation industry. The country has long been a hub for trade and travel, and is located between Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia. The potential of this project could have far-reaching implications, potentially changing air travel patterns across the continent and beyond.