Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopian Airlines has announced plans to build Africa’s largest airport, with construction set to begin in 2024 and completion expected in 2029. The state-owned carrier signed a design agreement with Dubai-based engineering firm Sidara for the new facility.
The airport, to be located near Bishoftu, about 45 kilometers from Addis Ababa, will have the capacity to handle a staggering 100 million passengers annually. It will also accommodate 270 aircraft.
Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew said the current main hub, Bole International Airport, is nearing its capacity limit of 25 million passengers per year. The new airport is seen as crucial for the airline’s continued growth.
The project is estimated to cost at least $6 billion, with funding to come from loans. The airline is confident in securing financing, stating that several companies have already expressed interest.
Ethiopian Airlines has been experiencing rapid growth in recent years. The carrier transported 17 million passengers in the last fiscal year and aims to reach 20 million this year.
