Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew has announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for a new mega airport in Bishoftu will be held in early December 2025. The planned airport is designed to reshape Ethiopia’s aviation sector and strengthen its position as a major hub for international travel.

The existing Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, having served the country for decades, has reached its limits. “Bole International Airport has become too small and has become crowded with passengers,” Mesfin explained. Attempts to expand the airport have now run into spatial constraints, especially as it sits at the heart of the city.

Bishoftu, located about 40 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa, has been selected as the site for the new facility. The airport is expected to cost approximately USD 10 billion, making it one of Africa’s most ambitious aviation infrastructure investments. The African Development Bank has pledged USD 500 million toward the project, and efforts are underway to secure the remaining financing.

The new airport will feature four runways and be built to serve 60 million passengers annually at first, with future expansion potential to accommodate 110 million passengers. Cargo capacity is projected at 3.73 million tons per year.

Because the project affects local communities, Ethiopian Airlines is arranging to resettle farmers in the area. The resettlement site is expected to be ready by the end of September, with actual relocation planned for November.

With its cutting-edge facilities and strategic location, Bishoftu International Airport is envisioned to become a new cornerstone of aviation in Ethiopia, serving both domestic and continental travel and driving broader economic development.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency