Ethiopian Airlines has begun laying the groundwork for what it calls one of Africa’s largest aviation hubs: a 10 billion US dollar airport in Bishoftu, 40 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa. The new facility is intended to ease mounting congestion at Bole International Airport and form the centrepiece of the carrier’s Vision 2035 strategy.

Details of the project were presented at a two-day showcase in Addis Ababa, where government officials, financiers, contractors, and investors gathered to review construction timelines and financing options. Among those attending were Finance Minister Ahmed Shide, airline chief executive Mesfin Tasew, and representatives of the African Development Bank, Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, and KPMG.

The plan sets out a phased rollout, with resettlement of surrounding communities scheduled for completion by September 2025, followed by the relocation of affected farmers. Early works are expected to begin in November 2025, while the main engineering and procurement contracts are slated for October 2026. The airport is due to open by the end of 2029.

Mesfin described the Bishoftu project as a collaborative undertaking. “This showcase paves the way for new partnerships, allowing deep insight into the project and its significance in the African aviation landscape and beyond,” he said.