Ethiopian Airlines has announced that the construction of its new $12.5 billion airport project has begun. The new facility is set to become the largest airport on the African continent and its first mega-hub, with the capacity to handle over 100 million passengers annually.
With the airline’s current hub set to reach maximum capacity in the coming years, this new airport project will be funded by the airline, along with a few domestic and international credit lenders, and the first phase of the airport should be operational sometime in 2030.
Set To Be Africa’s Largest Airport
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To be constructed in the Ethiopian city of Bishoftu, the nation’s carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, broke ground on Saturday as its $12.5 billion construction project began. Reports from Reuters indicate that Ethiopian Airlines will fund 30% of the project, and that the remaining capital will be credited by the African Development Bank, and other interested parties from the Middle East, Europe, China, and the USA.
The new airport, when fully operational, will have four runways, along with terminal capacity to accommodate around 110 million passengers annually, and parking facilities to accommodate around 270 aircraft. The first phase is set to be operational in 2030, is expected to see two passenger terminals a cargo terminal and two parallel runways.
Considering that the current largest airport in Ethiopia can only handle around 25 million passengers annually, this new project, when opened fully, will be handling over four times the passenger traffic Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) can handle. Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, on X, stated,
“Bishoftu International Airport will be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history.”
What To Expect In Phase One?
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With the airline already allocated $610 million for earthworks, the work is scheduled to commence in August this year, and earthworks are expected to be completed in a year. Going forward, the first phase of the new airport project is expected to be operational in 2030, and the airport will have two of its four planned runways operational. Along with the two parallel runways, Phase One also includes the completion of two passenger terminals, an airport hotel, and a cargo terminal.
The infrastructure from Phase One will be able to accommodate 60 million passengers annually across the two terminal buildings, along with the cargo terminal having an annual capacity of 1.5 million tonnes. By this stage, the airport will have capacity and facilities to accommodate 180 aircraft. As the project progresses, passenger capacity will rise to 110 million passengers, along with space for a further 90 aircraft.
Additionally, in its first phase, the construction of modern highways will provide road links to the capital city of Addis Ababa, along with a high-speed rail system. With operational speeds of 120 to 200 km per hour, the train would increase accessibility to the airport and subsequently increase the airport’s catchment area.
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Ethiopian Airlines Signs $6 Billion Contract To Design Africa’s New Largest Airport
The initial phase of the project, costing $6 billion, would result in a new terminal capable of handling 60 million passengers per year.
Ethiopian Airlines Now & Its Future Growth
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The carrier is currently based in Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa and is one of the continent’s top carriers with a significant international presence, with its extensive connectivity from its hub, ADD, and the variety of fifth-freedom service it operates around the world.
As per the airline’s fleet website, it operates the youngest fleet in Africa, which consists of a variety of modern narrowbody, widebody, and regional aircraft. The carrier currently operates a fleet of 167 aircraft, dominated by Boeing aircraft, except for the 30 Bombardier Q400 prop aircraft for domestic and regional operation, and 26 Airbus A350 family aircraft, which the airline utilizes on long-haul routes. The carrier additionally has 64 aircraft currently on order, which includes 34 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, 11 Airbus A350-900s, 11 Boeing 787-9s, and eight Boeing 777-9s.
Considering the airline’s fleet expansion plans and, naturally, the subsequent increase in network connectivity and passenger traffic, it makes sense that there is a need for a new airport in Ethiopia, and explains why Ethiopian Airlines is directly involved in the airport project. This is the perfect opportunity for the airline to create a mega-hub within the African continent, but also create the perfect ground experience for its own customers and chart further growth plans without facing any constraints. The airline could perhaps even turn the new airport into a 
Star Alliance hub, which would further bolster connectivity.