Ethiopia Breaks Ground on 110-Million-Passenger Airport

Ethiopian Airlines broke ground this week on Bishoftu International Airport, a project that will transform how Africa connects to itself and the world.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed joined Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew at the construction site to officially launch the ambitious project. The ceremony marked the beginning of what will become one of the continent's most significant aviation hubs.

The airport's first phase is scheduled for completion by 2030 and will accommodate 60 million passengers each year. When fully finished, Bishoftu International Airport will serve 110 million travelers annually, making it a game-changer for African aviation.

Before construction began, Ethiopian Airlines completed a resettlement program for communities affected by the project. The airline ensured displaced residents received support to restore their livelihoods, setting a positive example for major infrastructure development.

Tasew called the groundbreaking "a proud moment for Ethiopian Airlines and for all of Africa." As the airline celebrates 80 years of service, this airport represents its continued commitment to shaping the future of African air transport.

Prime Minister Ahmed praised Ethiopian Airlines as a source of national pride, highlighting the carrier's resilience and its role as a trailblazer for the continent. He pointed to the airline's safety-first culture and its 26,000 employees who view their work as serving Africa's progress.

The Ripple Effect

This airport will do far more than move people through terminals. It's designed to facilitate trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, opening new economic opportunities across the continent.

The project addresses a critical infrastructure gap that has long limited Africa's economic potential. Better connections mean easier movement of goods, more tourism, and stronger people-to-people ties between African nations and the rest of the world.

Ethiopian Airlines has built a reputation as Africa's most reliable carrier, and this airport extends that legacy. The investment signals confidence in Africa's growing demand for air travel and the continent's economic future.

For a continent often overlooked in global infrastructure investment, Bishoftu International Airport stands as proof that African nations are building their own solutions and leading their own transformation.