This new mega airport, located near the town of Bishoftu, approximately 40 kilometers (almost 25 miles) from the capital city Addis Ababa, is set to handle up to 110 million passengers annually once fully operational, surpassing all other airports on the continent.
On August 12, 2024, Ethiopian Airlines signed a consultancy contract with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, which will oversee the design and supervision of the project.
Dar Al-Handasah is partnered with Zaha Hadid Architects, renowned for their innovative and iconic designs.
Ethipoia's Addis Ababa International Airport. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest carrier, has announced ambitious plans to construct Africa's biggest airport by 2029. DAVID SILVERMAN/GETTY IMAGES
The project, termed as a "Mega Airport City," seeks to accelerate the country's economic growth and solidify its status as a pivotal aviation hub.
The initial phase of the project, expected to be completed by 2029, will feature a state-of-the-art terminal and other essential infrastructure, including a four-runway configuration, which will allow the airport to handle up to 60 million passengers annually.
The lower elevation of the new airport, compared to city's current airport Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, will address operational challenges posed by the current hub's high altitude.
This new facility is also designed to incorporate elements of Ethiopian heritage, blending sustainability with resilience and future readiness.
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is located at a height of 2,334 meters (7,625 feet), which makes it one of the highest major air hubs in the world
Once entirely constructed, the new airport will have capacity for 110 million passengers annually.
Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive Mesfin Tasew said the project would have large economic implications for Ethiopia, saying, "The project will not only enhance connectivity but also drive economic growth and prioritize environmentally responsible practices in our country and beyond."
Dar's director of operations in Ethiopia Tariq Al-Qanni said: "We are privileged to be collaborating with Ethiopian Airlines on this visionary new airport, which will provide vital global air connectivity, accelerate economic growth in Ethiopia, and elevate Ethiopian Airlines into Africa's most strategic and most competitive aviation group."
The new airport is also expected to alleviate the pressure on Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which is nearing its capacity of 25 million passengers annually.
Currently, the world's busies airport is Dubai International Airport, which had 44.9 million passengers in the first half of this year.
The largest airport in the world currently under construction is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With an estimated initial passenger capacity of 120 million per year, rising to 185 million in 2050, the airport would become the largest in the world by passenger numbers, outstripping the Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta airport, through which around 105 million voyagers pass annually.
