Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced the start of work on what he described as Africa’s largest airport, a massive aviation project planned for completion by 2030.
In a social media update on Saturday, Ahmed said the new facility, to be known as Bishoftu International Airport (BIA), is being built in the town of Bishoftu as part of a broader strategy to expand the country’s aviation capacity.
“To sustain Ethiopia’s rapid aviation growth and Ethiopian Airlines’ expanding global network, a new mega hub is being developed alongside Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which is nearing its expanded capacity of 25 million passengers annually,” he said.
According to the prime minister, the development is central to a multi-airport model intended to keep Ethiopia at the forefront of air travel on the continent.
“Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) will be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history,” Ahmed added.
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He explained that the project aligns with Ethiopia’s economic reform agenda, industrial growth drive and long-term aviation plans.
“The project will strengthen Ethiopian Airlines’ global competitiveness, enhance Africa’s connectivity under the AfCFTA framework, expand trade and tourism corridors, and position Ethiopia as a premier intercontinental hub,” he said.
Providing details on the site, Ahmed noted: “Located about 40 km southeast of Addis Ababa at an altitude of 1,910 meters, Bishoftu offers optimal conditions for aircraft performance and efficient handling of both origin-destination and transit passengers.
“Proximity to the capital ensures seamless integration with the existing aviation ecosystem.”
He also disclosed that the first phase of the airport will be built to handle 60 million passengers a year, with a planned expansion to 110 million annually under the full master plan, a scale he said would place Ethiopia among the world’s top aviation hubs.
