Ethiopian Airlines to Break Ground on Bishoftu Mega International Airport This Weekend

Addis Ababa, January 6, 2026 (ENA)—Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew has announced that the highly anticipated groundbreaking ceremony for the new Bishoftu Mega International Airport is scheduled for this weekend.

The ambitious project aims to transform Ethiopia’s aviation landscape and position the country as a leading hub for international air travel.

For decades, Ethiopian Airlines has operated out of Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. However, as the airline’s operations expanded, the airport reached its capacity limits.

"Bole International Airport has become too small and overcrowded with passengers," CEO Mesfin Tasew told Pulse of Africa, a Pan-African media outlet.

"We have been expanding this airport for several decades, but it has reached the point where further upgrades are impossible, as it is now at the center of the city."

The project comes at a time when Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier and among the top 30 globally, is experiencing rapid growth. Currently valued at around 8 billion USD, the airline is projected to reach nearly 30 billion USD by 2040.

The Bishoftu Airport City is designed to support this growth, providing the infrastructure needed to compete with international aviation giants such as Emirates and Qatar Airways.

Located approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa, the new airport will initially handle 60 million passengers annually, with plans to expand capacity beyond 100 million in the future.

It will feature multiple runways, extensive cargo facilities, and state-of-the-art terminals, cementing Ethiopia’s status as a major aviation hub on the African continent.

Experts predict that Bishoftu International Airport will have far-reaching economic impacts.

According to analyst Zemedeneh Nigatu, even a fraction of the airline’s 20 million annual passengers visiting Ethiopia could generate over a million new tourists each year, giving a significant boost to the country’s economy.

The 10 billion USD investment is expected to create thousands of direct jobs in construction, aviation, logistics, hospitality, and retail, with additional indirect employment opportunities across the region.

The airport city is also set to strengthen Ethiopia’s position as a regional economic and investment hub, attracting both global and domestic investors.

Ethiopian Airlines, a major source of foreign currency for the country, is expected to further enhance national revenue with the new airport, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s economic growth.