Ethiopia is set to embark on an ambitious project to construct Africa’s largest airport, with the signing of a design agreement on Friday.
The new four-runway facility will be located near Bishoftu, approximately 45 kilometers from the capital Addis Ababa.
The airport is projected to have an immense capacity, handling up to 100 million passengers annually and accommodating 270 aircraft.
This massive infrastructure will be designed by Dubai-based engineering firm Sidara, according to company officials.
Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew expressed the urgency for this new airport, citing the capacity constraints of the current Bole Addis Ababa International Airport, which is nearing its limit of 25 million passengers per year.
The new airport is expected to be operational by 2029, following a five-year construction period.
The first phase of this mega-project is estimated to cost a substantial $6 billion.
The airline is exploring various funding options, including loans, and has already attracted interest from potential investors.
With a growing passenger base, Ethiopian Airlines carried 17 million passengers in the last financial year and anticipates reaching 20 million this year.
The new airport is seen as a crucial step to accommodate the airline’s expansion and solidify Ethiopia’s position as a major aviation hub in Africa.
