Bishoftu International Airport (Code: BIA) is expected to cost USD 10 billion and will be built 40 km south of the East African country’s capital city, Addis Ababa. Groundwork is scheduled to begin in late 2025, with Phase I expected to be completed by November 2029. By then, BIA will be able to accommodate 60 million passengers annually and handle 3.73 million tons of cargo.
Bishoftu International is a flagship project for the entire African continent, emphasized Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) during the presentation of the airport plans last week in Addis Ababa. It will be“a game changer for air transport in Africa and globally,”Adesina stated. His financial institution is the lead arranger, global coordinator and book runner to mobilize nearly USD 8 billion of the USD 10 billion needed for the mammoth project.
BIA will be Africa’s largest airport
“With its 75 years of operational history, Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s oldest and best airline. It is critical for regional economic integration, connecting capitals, people and markets, thanks to its cargo services and its globally rated ground facilities,” the Bank Group chief praised his hosts, referring to its current home base, Bole Airport, and then talking of Ethiopian Airlines’ impressive flexibility during the pandemic, turning its passenger cabins into cargo facilities to move vaccines and other required goods. The airline now plans to grow its fleet by an additional 114 aircraft, bringing it to a total of 240 as it ramps up for the future. He went on to explain: “To stay dominant, the government of Ethiopia is also expanding its airport facilities, especially for international flights. The Bole International airport, which currently is at 19 million out of its 25 million passenger capacity per year is no longer enough for the ambition of Ethiopia to be on top.” Hence the investment in the new Bishoftu International Airport which will have parking for 270 aircraft and eventually be able to handle 110 million passengers per annum, once Phase 2 is completed.
The AfDB executive’s kind words were welcomed by Ethiopian Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Lemma Yadecha. He acknowledged that the signing of the mandate letter […] “marks a decisive step toward realizing a world-class pan-African gateway that will boost intra-African trade, regional integration, tourism, and global connectivity.”
Bole Airport takes on a new role
The multi-billion-dollar project includes an airport city with facilities such as shopping malls, hotels and recreation areas. Also, direct rail and expressway links will connect Bishoftu to Bole Airport, facilitating transits from international to domestic flights. Once BIA is operational, Bole Airport’s role will be scaled down, becoming the country’s hub for intra-Ethiopian air services.
Executives of the East African carrier attending the signing of the document designating the African Development Bank as mandated lead arranger for BIA, predicted that the new airport will significantly increase pan-continental and global air connectivity, boost trade, tourism and air freight activities in a competitive environment.
Funding for the relocation of residents has been secured
The good news for local residents is that Ethiopian Airlines (IATA: ET) has allocated a total of USD 350 million for livelihood restoration and resettlement of communities that will be affected by the construction of BIA.
In fiscal year ending 30JUN25, the airline reported record revenues of USD 7.6 billion, reflecting an 8% year-on-year growth. It transported 19 million passengers (15.1 million on international routes and 3.9 million within the country) and moved785,323 tons of cargo, summarized CEO, Mesfin Tasew.
However, multiple regional and global crises, including conflicts in the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, significantly disrupted the carrier’s operations over the past year. Tasew also cited U.S. government regulations as a growing challenge to international air transport services.
The airport is expected to boost tourism, trade, and investment by improving connectivity. It will create jobs both during construction and once operational, supporting industries like hospitality, logistics, and retail.
Hi all;
Could you please tell me what company ll build this new airport?
Ethiopian Airlines will build the new Airport. If they will partner wirh construcrion firms is not known at rhis stage of the projecgt or ar least not communicated by ET so far.
The design + construction contract for the airport city was awarded to consultancy Dar Al-Handasah. Other firms involved in the design consortium include Zaha Hadid Architects nd Pascall-Watson.
The project will be financed through loans. The African Development Bank serves as the Mandate Lead Arranger to secure monetary influx.
The airpt project is part of Ethiop. Airl. “Vision 2035”.
Long overdue development. Flights from HAAB(ADD) to KIAD were required to make a tech stop in Rome or Shannon. This was due to second segment climb requirements not attainable at high takeoff gross weights. Bole’s elevation of 7600+ feet limits the single engine climb. Bishoftu is much lower at about 6000 ft just might enable a direct flight to IAD. Headwinds at always pose a challenge on westbound flights despite which origin airport is involved. A comprehensive aircraft performance analysis (including potential terrain obstacle data) should be evaluated.
Selection of this aerodrome location will enable extended range operations (ETOPS) north of 200 minutes, thereby considering significant fuel savings and enroute flight time.