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Ethiopia has started construction on what will become Africa’s largest international airport. The new Bishoftu International Airport is located about forty kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa. It is designed to reshape aviation across the continent. The project was launched on 10 January 2026 during a national ceremony led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. [theheraldghana.com], [thecitizen.co.tz]
The airport will operate in phases. The first phase will handle sixty million passengers a year. The full master plan allows for a final capacity of one hundred and ten million passengers annually. This positions Ethiopia to compete with major global hubs. Officials say the site will include four runways and parking space for two hundred and seventy aircraft. [kenyans.co.ke], [ena.et]
The government argues that Addis Ababa’s current Bole International Airport is nearing its limits. Bishoftu is meant to relieve pressure and give Ethiopian Airlines space to grow. The national carrier is contributing around thirty percent of the project funding. Additional support comes from global lenders. The African Development Bank has committed five hundred million dollars and is helping to secure the rest. [thecitizen.co.tz], [fanamc.com]
Construction costs range between ten and twelve point seven billion dollars. Earthworks are already underway. Major contractors begin the next phase in August 2026. Full completion is expected between 2029 and 2030. Once finished, the airport will also include a high speed railway link and a modern highway to the capital. [thecitizen.co.tz], [independent.co.uk]
Officials say the project aligns with Ethiopia’s long term aviation strategy and its wider economic reforms. They expect it to boost trade, tourism and continental connectivity. The site’s lower elevation compared to Bole will also reduce fuel burn and improve aircraft performance. African air travel demand is rising. This makes the Bishoftu hub set to play a central role in future regional mobility. [travelandt…rworld.com], [fanamc.com]
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