Ethiopia Announces Construction of Africa’s Biggest Airport
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says construction has begun on what he described as Africa’s biggest airport.
In a social media post on Saturday, Ahmed said the airport, named Bishoftu International Airport (BIA), will be built in the town of Bishoftu and completed by 2030.
“To sustain Ethiopia’s rapid aviation growth and Ethiopian Airlines’ expanding global network, a new mega hub is being developed alongside Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which is nearing its expanded capacity of 25 million passengers annually,” he said.
Ahmed explained that the multi airport strategy is aimed at securing Ethiopia’s position as Africa’s leading air transport hub in the future.
“Bishoftu International Airport will be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history,” he said.
According to the prime minister, the project aligns with Ethiopia’s national economic reforms, industrialisation plans, and long term aviation strategy.
“The project will strengthen Ethiopian Airlines’ global competitiveness, improve Africa’s connectivity under the AfCFTA framework, expand trade and tourism corridors, and position Ethiopia as a major intercontinental hub,” Ahmed said.
He noted that the airport will be located about 40 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa at an altitude of 1,910 metres, offering favourable conditions for aircraft performance and efficient handling of both local and transit passengers.
Ahmed added that the first phase of the airport is designed to handle 60 million passengers annually, with plans to expand capacity to 110 million passengers per year, placing Ethiopia among the world’s leading aviation hubs.
