Image Credits: IFN News
Ethiopian Airlines has announced the signing of a landmark $6 billion deal to construct a massive new airport, marking a significant milestone in its ambitious expansion plans. The project, which is set to be one of the largest airport developments in Africa, underscores Ethiopia’s ambitions to become a major aviation hub on the continent.
The new airport, to be located near Bishoftu, about 40 kilometres southeast of the capital, Addis Ababa, is designed to accommodate the rapidly growing passenger and cargo traffic that Ethiopian Airlines has experienced in recent years. The facility will have the capacity to handle up to 100 million passengers annually, positioning it among the world’s largest airports by capacity.
The development of the new airport is seen as essential for the airline, which has outgrown its current hub at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. Bole International has been expanded multiple times, but the rising demand has made a new facility necessary to sustain the airline’s growth trajectory.
The project is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs during construction and operation, providing a significant boost to the local economy. It will also include infrastructure to support commercial developments such as hotels, shopping centres, and logistics hubs, contributing to the overall economic growth of the region.
International financiers, including development banks and private investors, are expected to back the project, reflecting confidence in Ethiopia’s aviation sector and its potential to drive regional connectivity.
The new mega airport is set to begin construction later this year, with completion targeted within the next decade. Ethiopian Airlines continues to expand its global network, the airport will play a pivotal role in its future success, reinforcing its status as Africa’s leading carrier.