Ethiopian Airlines enters into an agreement to develop the “largest airport in Africa”

The chairman of state-owned Ethiopian Airlines announced on Friday that Ethiopia has signed a design agreement for a new four-runway airport, which when construction is finished in 2029 would be the largest in Africa.

The airport, which is around 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the capital Addis Ababa, is close to the town of Bishoftu. According to Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew, the airport can accommodate 100 million people annually and can park 270 aircraft.

The airport will be designed by the Dubai-based engineering and consulting firm Sidara, according to Tariq Al Qanni, director of operations for the business.
The airport’s construction plans were originally revealed in 2018.

Bole Addis Ababa International Airport, which serves as the primary hub for the largest airline in Africa, is expected to handle 25 million passengers annually, according to Mesfin.

The project will be completed in five years, in 2029. Mesfin declared, “It will be the largest in Africa.”

“The first phase alone will set you back at least $6 billion. The funds will be obtained through loans, and businesses have already expressed interest.”

Ethiopian Airlines anticipates carrying 20 million passengers in the fiscal year that began in July, up from 17 million in the fiscal year 2023–2024.