Africa’s Largest Airport Set to Open Near Bishoftu, Ethiopia, With 110 Million Passenger Capacity
Ethiopia has officially begun building what is expected to become Africa’s largest airport, a massive new aviation hub planned near Bishoftu, about 40 to 45 km southeast of Addis Ababa. The project is called Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) and is being developed by Ethiopian Airlines Group as part of a long-term effort to expand air connectivity, boost trade, and reduce pressure on the country’s main airport in the capital.
A $12.5 billion airport project with global scale ambitions
The new airport is being built at an estimated cost of $12.5 billion. It is designed to eventually handle 110 million passengers per year, a number that would place it among the largest airports in the world, not just in Africa.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called it the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history and said it will have more than four times the capacity of Ethiopia’s current main airport, which is expected to hit its limit within the next two to three years if traffic continues growing.
Timeline: first phase targeted for 2030
Phase 1 is expected to be completed by 2030. This first stage is projected to support 60 million passengers annually, and later expansion will take the airport up to the 110 million target.
Four runways and capacity for 270 aircraft
According to reports, the finished airport will include four runways and space to park about 270 aircraft. This is built to support both high passenger volumes and major growth in Ethiopian Airlines’ international operations.
Funding plan: Ethiopian Airlines + lenders
Ethiopian Airlines plans to fund around 30% of the project, with the remaining 70% expected to come from lenders.
The African Development Bank has pledged $500 million and is leading efforts to raise additional funding. Reports also say lenders from the Middle East, Europe, China, and the US have shown interest in financing the project.
Construction has started, with major work scheduled next
Early work on the site has begun, including earthworks estimated at $610 million, which are expected to take about a year. Full construction is scheduled to move forward more aggressively from August 2026.
Design and location
The airport’s development team includes Dar Al-Handasah (DAR) for design and planning, with Zaha Hadid Architects responsible for the terminal architecture, technical planning, and interior design.
Why this airport matters
Bishoftu International Airport is being positioned as a major answer to a simple problem: Ethiopia’s current airport capacity is running out, while demand for travel, cargo movement, and international routes keeps rising.
For Ethiopia, the airport is expected to support:
- Expanded tourism and easier international access
- Faster growth for Ethiopian Airlines as a global carrier
- New jobs and business activity tied to aviation and logistics
If completed on schedule, Bishoftu International Airport could become one of Africa’s most important transport hubs by the next decade.