Ethiopia Accelerates Construction of Africa’s Largest Airport
Bishoftu International Airport advances round-the-clock toward 110-million-passenger capacity
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali announced that work on Bishoftu International Airport described as the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history is proceeding day and night. The facility is designed to handle 110 million passengers annually upon full completion, positioning Ethiopia among the world’s top aviation hubs.
In a post accompanied by extensive video footage of the site, Abiy stated: “Bishoftu International Airport, the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history, is being built day and night with unyielding determination ready to welcome 110 million passengers annually when completed, placing Ethiopia among the world’s top aviation hubs!” The video shows large-scale earthmoving operations, fleets of dump trucks and excavators operating across a vast site, and activity continuing after dark under artificial lighting.
Located roughly 40–45 km southeast of Addis Ababa near the town of Bishoftu (elevation about 1,910 meters), the airport is being developed by Ethiopian Airlines. Phase 1 is targeted for completion around 2030 with two parallel runways and capacity for 60 million passengers per year.
Full build-out is planned to include four runways, parking for up to 270 aircraft, and the 110-million-passenger capacity. The estimated cost is $12.5 billion, with Ethiopian Airlines covering a portion of the equity and the rest financed through international lenders, including involvement from the African Development Bank.
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