10/01/2026
Abiy Ahmed Ali
In order to sustain the rapid growth of Ethiopia's air transport and the expanding Ethiopian Airlines international connection, a new mega station is being developed in addition to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. This strategy of building different airports is aimed at making Ethiopia the future of Africa's front door of air transport.
Bishoftu international airport will be the biggest air transport infrastructure project in the history of Africa. This is also read with Ethiopian national economic reform, industry expansion agenda and long term aviation strategy. The project will strengthen Ethiopian Airlines' international competitiveness. AfCFTA will increase the capacity to connect Africa. Expands trade and tourism corridors. It will also make Ethiopia the first center of Beineagur.
Bishoftu, which is located around 40 kilometers south east of Addis Ababa and has a height of 1910 meters, has a suitable environment for airplanes and has a suitable condition for transit passengers. The proximity to our capital will create a convenient situation for easy integrated operations with the existing air transport. The first phase of the airport will handle 60 million passengers per year and when completed it will reach the capacity of 110 million passengers per year making Africa one of the world's leading airline destinations.
To sustain Ethiopia’s rapid aviation growth and Ethiopian Airlines’ expanding global network, a new mega hub is being developed alongside Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which is nearing its expanded capacity of 25 million passengers annually. This multi-airport strategy aims to future-proof Ethiopia’s role as Africa’s leading air transport gateway.
Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) will be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history. It aligns with Ethiopia’s national economic reforms, industrialization agenda, and long-term aviation strategy. The project will strengthen Ethiopian Airlines’ global competitiveness, enhance Africa’s connectivity under the AfCFTA framework, expand trade and tourism corridors, and position Ethiopia as a premier intercontinental hub.
Located about 40 km southeast of Addis Ababa at an altitude of 1,910 meters, Bishoftu offers optimal conditions for aircraft performance and efficient handling of both origin-destination and transit passengers. Proximity to the capital ensures seamless integration with the existing aviation ecosystem. The first phase of the airport will handle 60 million passengers per year, with an ultimate master plan capacity of 110 million passengers annually, placing Ethiopia among the world’s top aviation hubs.
