Ethiopia has reached a multibillion-dollar agreement with a Dubai-based engineering company for the design of a new mega airport that will revolutionize the continent’s aviation sector.
The new airport will be located near Bishftu, a town that is about 45 kilometers from Addis Ababa. It is scheduled for completion in 2029.
As per the statement by Ethiopian Airlines’ CEO Mesfin Tasew, the airport will feature four runways. On top of this, the airport will have the capacity to serve 100 million passengers annually and accommodate 270 aircraft parking lots.
The new airport will be located near Bishftu, a town that is about 45 kilometers from Addis Ababa. It is scheduled for completion in 2029. As per the statement by Ethiopian Airlines’ CEO Mesfin Tasew, the airport will feature four runways. On top of this, the airport will have the capacity to serve 100 million passengers annually and accommodate 270 aircraft parking lots.
Ethiopian Airlines’ current hub, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, stands as one of Africa’s busiest airports with an annual capacity of 25 million passengers. The officials stated that the current will soon reach its full capacity. Thus, it is no surprise that the country has invested in this mega project.
The plans for the enormous project began a few years ago in 2019. The development is expected to start soon. Once finished, the airport will be the largest in Africa. The first phase of the project comes with a $6 billion price tag. According to the officials, the project will be funded through loans.
The aviation industry plays a critical role in promoting economic growth, creating jobs, and facilitating tourism and global trade. Therefore, the mega airport will be a major economic hub in Ethiopia and across East Africa.
Africa’s aviation industry is expected to grow by 5.8 percent in 2024, according to a report by the African Airlines Association. With passenger capacity increasing across the continent, countries are responding by building new airports and expanding existing facilities to handle the increased demand.
The construction of the Kigali International Airport, with a capacity of 8 million passengers annually, is underway in Rwanda. In Kenya, Adani Airport Holdings Limited has proposed a $1.85 billion deal to develop and modernize the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
