Premier Hails Bishoftu International Airport Project as Milestone for Ethiopia’s Prosperity

Addis Ababa, January 10, 2026 (ENA)—Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has lauded the Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) Project as a defining pillar of Ethiopia’s national transformation, describing the initiative as a gateway to a more sophisticated and prosperous future for the nation.

Prime Minister Abiy and First Lady Zinash Tayachew, together with senior government officials, officially launched the construction of the airport during a groundbreaking ceremony at the site.

Office of the Prime Minster shared on social media channels that Premier Abiy Ahmed described the day as a “milestone in Ethiopia’s journey toward modernization and prosperity.”

He noted that Ethiopian Airlines is a source of national pride, not because it has been free of challenges, but because of its resilience, its ability to overcome obstacles, and its role as a trailblazer for Africa.

The PM further emphasized that the airline’s greatest strength lies in its strong corporate culture, built on, giving priority to safety and security, Leadership driven by creativity and hard work.

Additionally, the airline’s greatest strength having workforce of over 26,000 employees who believe in the airline as their flag carrier and honor what it represents as well as A continuous commitment to learning and capacity building.

Located about 40 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa at an altitude of 1,910 meters, Bishoftu offers optimal conditions for aircraft performance and the efficient handling of both origin-destination and transit passengers.

The project also includes the construction of a multi-lane modern highway linking the new airport with Addis Ababa, as well as a 38-kilometer high-speed railway with operating speeds of 120–200 km per hour, the office indicated.

In its first phase, Bishoftu International Airport will have the capacity to serve 60 million passengers annually.

Upon completion of its full master plan, the airport will be able to handle up to 110 million passengers per year, positioning Ethiopia among the world’s leading aviation hubs.