Addis Ababa, January 10,2026: Ethiopia has launched construction of the Bishoftu International Airport (BIA), set to become the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history, marking a major milestone in the country’s ambitions to emerge as a global aviation hub.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, accompanied by First Lady Zinash Tayachew and senior government officials, officially inaugurated the project during a groundbreaking ceremony at the airport site.
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the launch as a defining moment in Ethiopia’s journey toward modernization and prosperity. He highlighted Ethiopian Airlines as a source of national pride, noting that its strength lies not in the absence of challenges but in its resilience, capacity to overcome obstacles, and pioneering role in African aviation.
The prime minister said the airline’s success is rooted in its strong corporate culture, which prioritizes safety and security, promotes leadership driven by creativity and hard work, and is supported by a workforce of more than 26,000 employees who believe in the airline as Ethiopia’s flag carrier. He also underscored the airline’s continued commitment to learning and capacity building.
Located around 40 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa at an altitude of 1,910 metres, Bishoftu offers optimal conditions for aircraft performance and efficient handling of both transit and origin-destination passengers. The project also includes a multi-lane modern highway connecting the airport to the capital, along with a 38-kilometre high-speed railway designed for operating speeds of 120 to 200 kilometres per hour.
In its first phase, Bishoftu International Airport will have the capacity to handle 60 million passengers annually. Upon completion of its full master plan, the airport’s capacity is expected to reach 110 million passengers per year, positioning Ethiopia among the world’s leading aviation hubs and significantly strengthening Africa’s air connectivity.
