Ethiopian Airlines officially began a $12.5 billion construction project on Saturday for what officials say will become Africa’s largest airport when it is completed in 2030.
The airport will be built in Bishoftu, a town about 45 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa, and the state-owned airline has been awarded the contract to design a facility with four runways.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali described the project as “the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history.” He said the airport will have space to park 270 planes and handle 110 million passengers a year, more than four times the capacity of Ethiopia’s current main airport, which is expected to reach its limits in the next two to three years.
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Abraham Tesfaye, Ethiopian Airlines’ Infrastructure Development and Planning Director, told reporters that the airline will fund 30 percent of the project, with the remainder financed by lenders.
The airline has already allocated $610 million for earthworks, which are expected to be completed within one year, while main construction is scheduled to begin in August 2026.
According to Reuters, The project was initially estimated at $10 billion. Other financiers include the African Development Bank, which in August pledged $500 million and will lead efforts to raise $8.7 billion.
Abraham added that “lenders from Middle East, Europe, China and USA have shown strong interest to finance the project.”
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, has expanded in recent years, adding six extra routes in 2024/25 while also growing its revenues.
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Image Credit: Shutterstock – Simple Flying
