Construction on the Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) officially began with a groundbreaking ceremony on January 10, 2026, marking the start of what is set to become Africa’s largest aviation hub. Situated roughly 40 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa, the project is valued at US$12.5 billion and is being developed to meet surging passenger and cargo demand in East Africa.
Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the airport will be built in multiple phases. Phase One, targeting completion by 2030, will feature a 660,000-square-meter terminal and two parallel runways, with a passenger capacity of 60 million annually. The final build-out will expand the facility to four runways and parking for 270 aircraft, increasing total passenger capacity to 110 million per year, over four times the capacity of the existing Bole International Airport.
The airport will host a Mega Airport City, including mixed-use commercial buildings, hotels (a 350-room airside hotel), shopping centers, and public parks designed to serve a local population of 80,000. Connectivity is a major focus, with a high-speed rail link connecting Bishoftu International Airport to central Addis Ababa and Bole International Airport, with trains reaching speeds of up to 200 kph. Cargo infrastructure will span over 100,000 m², capable of processing up to 3.73 million tons of cargo annually.
The project is led by Ethiopian Airlines Group, with major backing from international financial institutions. The African Development Bank (AfDB) serves as the mandated lead arranger, committing $500 million in direct funding while coordinating efforts to mobilize nearly $8 billion from other lenders. Additional potential support has been indicated by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and partners from China, Europe, and the Middle East. Dar Al-Handasah and KPMG are providing technical and financial consultancy, ensuring compliance with international aviation and project management standards.
Bishoftu International Airport is expected to transform Ethiopia into a continental aviation hub, boosting passenger traffic, cargo throughput, and regional connectivity while creating tens of thousands of jobs.
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