Bishoftu International Airport
Bishoftu International Airport BIA ቢሾፍቱ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Summary | |
| Airport type | Public |
| Operator | Ethiopian Airlines Group |
| Serves | Bishoftu, Addis Ababa |
| Location | Bishoftu, Oromia Region, Ethiopia |
| Hub for |
|
| Elevation AMSL | 6,227 ft (1,898 m) |
| Coordinates | 8°44′2.15″N 38°55′16.68″E / 8.7339306°N 38.9213000°E |
Interactive map of Bishoftu International Airport BIA | |
Bishoftu International Airport (also referred to in project documents as the Bishoftu International Airport Project or the Ethiopian Airlines Mega Airport) is a planned large-scale airport development project in the city of Bishoftu, in the Oromia region of Ethiopia.[1] Positioned to become a major aviation hub in Africa, the project is spearheaded by Ethiopian Airlines Group.[2] On 10 January 2026, the project officially broke ground. It is scheduled to be completed in 2030.[3]
Specifications and capacity (planned)
Planned specifications for Bishoftu International Airport indicate a design capacity for up to 100 million passengers annually, supported by four to five parallel runways and a major expanded cargo terminal. The project also includes an Airport City with MRO facilities, a hotel, a shopping mall and an industrial park.[4][5][6]
Financing
The estimated cost of the project has been reported differently at different stages of development. African Development Bank project documentation estimated the overall project cost at approximately US$10 billion, while Reuters reported a later estimate of US$12.5 billion in January 2026.[7][8]
The African Development Bank was appointed as initial mandated lead arranger, global coordinator and bookrunner for the project's debt financing. The bank planned to provide up to US$500 million itself, subject to approval, and to mobilise up to US$8 billion from other lenders.[9]
International support
The United States government has expressed support for the project, acknowledging its potential to transform regional connectivity and offering U.S. expertise and investment. The African Development Bank has listed the project in its documents, indicating its involvement in the initial stages of project preparation.[10][11][12]
Design
ZHA Architects (previously Zaha Hadid Architects) has been named as the firm behind the project.[13][14]
See also
References
- ↑ "Ethiopian Airlines to Launch International Flights from Bishoftu Airport by 2030". ENA English. Archived from the original on 2025-09-11. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Ethiopia builds a new mega airport". CargoForwarder Global. 2025-08-17. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Ethiopia begins $12.5 billion construction of 'Africa's biggest airport'". Reuters. 10 January 2026. Archived from the original on 2026-01-10. Retrieved 2026-01-10.
- ↑ "Bishoftu International Airport Construction to Begin by End of November". ebc.et. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Ethiopian Airlines' Bishoftu mega airport project to transform Africa's connectivity, trade, and growth – CEO". Welcome to Fana Media Corporation S.C. 2025-09-16. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Ethiopia Design and Construction Launch of $7.8 Billion Airport City Project". www.trade.gov. 2025-08-05. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ Assessment Report of Ethiopian Airlines Group Environmental and Social Management System (PDF) (Report). African Development Bank. 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
- ↑ "Ethiopia begins $12.5 billion construction of 'Africa's biggest airport'". Reuters. 2026-01-10. Archived from the original on 2026-01-10. Retrieved 2026-01-10.
- ↑ "The $10 Billion Mega-Airport Financing Partnership Between Ethiopian Airlines and African Development Bank Takes Off". African Development Bank. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
- ↑ "U.S. Pledges Support For Ethiopia's New $10B Mega Airport". Aviation Week Network. Archived from the original on 2025-10-10. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "US Government to support development of new Bishoftu Airport". CAPA. Archived from the original on 2025-10-11. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
- ↑ Tadesse, Fasika (2025-08-11). "Ethiopia Appoints AfDB to Help Raise $10 Billion Airport Funding". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Bishoftu International Airport construction begins – Zaha Hadid Architects". 2026-01-14. Archived from the original on 2026-01-19. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
- ↑ Crook, Lizzie (2026-01-15). "Zaha Hadid Architects reveals Bishoftu International Airport in Ethiopia". Dezeen. Archived from the original on 2026-01-19. Retrieved 2026-01-29.