Dhaka: Ethiopia has announced plans to construct what will become Africa’s largest airport, a £7.4 billion project located near Bishoftu, southeast of the capital Addis Ababa.

The ambitious development aims to transform the country’s aviation infrastructure and further cement Ethiopia’s position as a leading aviation hub on the continent.

The new airport will feature four runways and is designed to accommodate up to 100 million passengers annually, a significant increase compared with the current capacity at Bole International Airport.

The facility is expected to relieve congestion at Addis Ababa’s existing airport, which has been under pressure due to the rapid growth of passenger traffic and the expansion of Ethiopian Airlines’ global network.

Ethiopian Airlines, the country’s flagship carrier, is spearheading the development in partnership with the African Development Bank, which is providing financial and technical support for the project.

Officials have indicated that construction is progressing on an ambitious timeline, with completion targeted for 2029.

“This project reflects Ethiopia’s commitment to developing world-class aviation infrastructure and enhancing connectivity across Africa and beyond,” said a spokesperson for Ethiopian Airlines.

“Once operational, the new airport will not only ease capacity constraints but also position Ethiopia as a central hub for international air travel on the continent.”

Industry analysts say the airport could significantly boost Ethiopia’s economic growth, attract foreign investment, and create thousands of jobs in construction, aviation, and related sectors.

It is also expected to increase the competitiveness of Ethiopian Airlines, which has steadily expanded its long-haul and cargo operations in recent years.

As Africa continues to experience rapid growth in air travel demand, the Bishoftu airport project is set to be a landmark development, underscoring the region’s ambitions to enhance aviation infrastructure and meet the needs of a booming passenger market.

-B