Leading African carrier Ethiopian Airlines Group has signed a technical advisory and consultancy contract with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, a partner with Iraqi-British Zaha Hadid Architects, to design a mega Airport City at Abusera in Bishoftu city, about 50 km south of capital Addis Ababa.
According to a press statement by Ethiopian Airlines, the flag carrier of Ethiopia, the new airport is projected to have the capacity to serve 110 million passengers each year upon completion, which is four times the current capacity of Bole International Airport.
This airport city will be located 40 km from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, the current hub of Ethiopian Airlines.
Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines says that the Mega Airport City project will have a notable role in establishing Ethiopia as a global aviation hub.
“The project will not only enhance connectivity but also drive economic growth and prioritise environmentally responsible practices in our country and beyond, reflecting the airline’s commitment to innovation and sustainability,” says Tasew.
“With its exceptional capacity and world-class facilities, this new airport promises to elevate African aviation and strengthen partnerships, marking a significant advancement for the region’s air travel infrastructure,” he adds.
“We are privileged to be collaborating with Ethiopian Airlines on this visionary new airport, which will provide vital global air connectivity, accelerate economic growth in Ethiopia, and elevate Ethiopian Airlines into Africa’s most strategic and most competitive aviation group,” Dar’s Director of Operations in Ethiopia Tariq Al-Qanni.
The first phase of the contract, which is expected to be finished in 2029, will position Ethiopia as the primary international gateway to Africa with a capacity of 60 million passengers, nearly three times the number of passengers registered at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Africa’s busiest airport in 2022. In the end, the new airport will serve 110 million passengers annually, quadrupling Bole International Airport’s capacity.
The Mega Airport City will feature a 1.1 million sqm terminal including passenger facilities, 126,190 sqm of airline support facilities, and over 100,000 sqm of cargo and airport support facilities.
It will also include an associated airfield and other essential airport infrastructure.
The statement says that the new airport is positioned at a lower elevation compared to the current primary hub, Addis Ababa, situated at one of the world’s most elevated locations and thus presenting unique operational challenges for aircraft.
It adds that the architectural team will incorporate elements of Ethiopian heritage to establish a new emblematic structure for the nation, a people-centric, intuitive airport characterised by sustainability, resilience, and future-readiness.