Ethiopia has officially commenced construction of the $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport, set to become Africa’s largest airport, with Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) leading the architectural design. Located southeast of Addis Ababa, the new airport is planned as a next-generation global gateway, responding to Ethiopia’s rapidly growing aviation sector and Ethiopian Airlines’ long-term expansion strategy.
Inside Ethiopia’s Bishoftu International Airport Project
The airport is planned as a multi-phase development. In Phase I, it will feature four runways and infrastructure to serve up to 60 million passengers annually. Once fully developed, Bishoftu will handle around 110 million passengers per year and provide parking for up to 270 aircraft, making it one of Africa’s largest airport infrastructure projects, significantly exceeding the capacity of Ethiopia’s existing main hub, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
Architectural and Design Leadership Behind Africa’s Largest Airport
The design and technical master planning for Bishoftu International Airport is being overseen by a consortium of international firms:
- Dar Al-Handasah Consultants is leading technical advisory and master planning.
- Sidara Group is responsible for the detailed architectural and technical design of major facilities, including the passenger terminal, runways, cargo hubs, and aviation support zones.
- Zaha Hadid Architects is contributing design expertise to key architectural elements to ensure the airport meets global standards.
The design prioritizes efficient passenger flow and connectivity, with a central spine linking concourses and minimizing transfer distances for the large volume of transit passengers expected. Materiality and interior color palettes across the terminal’s piers are designed to reflect Ethiopia’s diverse regional identities, while the overall masterplan integrates sustainable strategies such as natural ventilation, solar shading, and extensive landscape elements to enhance environmental performance and passenger comfort.
Terminal and Infrastructure Design
The terminal design accommodates a large passenger flow from the outset, with approximately 1.1 million m² of terminal space in Phase I. The master plan also includes:
- Cargo terminals exceeding 100,000 m² to support air freight growth.
- Dedicated airline support areas and logistics facilities.
- Infrastructure to support expansion into an airport city with commercial and service zones, hotels, and related transit infrastructure.
- Future provisions for additional runways and support facilities are aligned with demand growth.
Construction and Implementation
Construction activities began with site preparation and earthworks, supported by a financing model where Ethiopian Airlines funds about 30% of the project and international lenders, including the African Development Bank, cover the remainder.
The project timeline has been structured so that preliminary earthworks are expected to finish within a year, with major construction activities moving forward from mid-2026. This phased approach allows essential infrastructure to come online while later components are built.
Strategic Importance
Bishoftu International Airport is designed to relieve pressure on the existing Addis Ababa hub, which is nearing capacity limits, and to position Ethiopia as a major African and intercontinental aviation gateway. Beyond passenger services, the project is expected to support cargo growth, create jobs, and boost trade and tourism across Africa.
Render by X-Universe
