Ethiopian Airlines begins construction of Bishoftu Airport

Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s largest airline, has officially commenced construction of Bishoftu International Airport, with work beginning on January 10, 2026, following a formal groundbreaking ceremony. The event was attended by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, senior ministers, high-level government officials, industry leaders, key stakeholders, and Ethiopian Airlines executives.

Ethiopian also unveiled the airport’s design and highlighted the successful completion of the resettlement and livelihood restoration project for the affected communities of the project area. Ethiopian Prime Minister, alongside high-level government officials, and Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mesfin Tasew, placed the plaque marking the official commencement of the construction.

“This is truly a proud moment for Ethiopian Airlines and for all of Africa. We are embarking on a new chapter with the groundbreaking of Bishoftu International Airport that will redefine the continent’s aviation ecosystem. As we celebrate 80 years of service, this project stands as yet another milestone, underscoring our commitment to shaping the future of the African air transport industry, while supporting the growing demand for our passenger and cargo services. Bishoftu International Airport is a major step towards addressing the infrastructural gap in Africa and a key player in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and at Ethiopian, we are committed to realising the completion of this project,” says Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines.

In his remarks, the Ethiopian Prime Minister described the day as a milestone in Ethiopia’s journey toward modernisation and prosperity. He noted that Ethiopian Airlines is a source of national pride, not because it has been free of challenges, but because of its resilience, its ability to overcome obstacles, and its role as a trailblazer for Africa. He emphasised that the airline’s greatest strength lies in its strong corporate culture, built on: Giving priority to safety and security, leadership driven by creativity and hard work, a workforce of over 26,000 employees who believe in the airline as their flag carrier and honour what it represents, and a continuous commitment to learning and capacity building.

Bishoftu International Airport is set to become a landmark for Ethiopian and African aviation, strengthening trade, tourism, and people-to-people connectivity across Africa and beyond. Phase One of the project is targeted for completion by 2030, with the capacity to handle 60 million passengers annually, rising to 110 million passengers per year once the airport is fully completed.