Africa’s largest airport is set to be completed by 2029 near Bishoftu, Ethiopia, about 40 kilometers from the capital, Addis Ababa. The new mega airport, part of a «Mega Airport City» project, is expected to handle up to 110 million passengers annually once fully operational. In August 2024, Ethiopian Airlines signed a consultancy contract with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, who are partnering with the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects for the design and supervision of the project.
The new airport will initially have a capacity of 60 million passengers annually upon completion of its first phase and will feature a four-runway system. This development addresses the limitations of the current Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which is located at a high elevation of 2,334 meters (7,625 feet) and is approaching its maximum capacity of 25 million passengers per year.
The project is intended to solidify Ethiopia’s position as a critical aviation hub and boost economic growth. It will incorporate sustainable and resilient designs, blending modern infrastructure with elements of Ethiopian heritage. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew emphasized the airport’s economic and environmental benefits for the country.
This new facility will also help alleviate pressure on Bole International Airport, offering improved operational efficiency due to its lower elevation. As the global aviation landscape evolves, this development in Ethiopia is poised to elevate the country’s prominence in the industry, alongside the ambitious airport projects in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
