Ethiopia is set to take a major step forward in African aviation with the construction of the continent’s largest airport, a project that promises to radically transform the region’s air infrastructure and cement Addis Ababa’s position as Africa’s air transport hub.
The design of the massive airport has been entrusted to Sidara, a renowned Dubai-based engineering and consulting firm. The choice underscores Ethiopia’s ambition to draw on international expertise to deliver the massive project.
Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew Bekele announced that construction work is expected to begin soon, with completion expected in five years. According to him, the airport will not only be a development project for Ethiopian Airlines, but will also serve as the airline’s main hub, consolidating its rapid growth and connectivity across the continent and beyond.
Located about 45 kilometers from Addis Ababa, near the city of Bishoftu, the new airport aims to accommodate up to 100 million passengers per year. This would position it as one of the busiest airports in the world, comparable to major international air hubs.
In addition, the facility provides parking for up to 270 aircraft, a major asset that should significantly increase the airline’s operational capacity and provide better fluidity for commercial and tourist exchanges.