Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has lauded the Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) Project as a defining pillar of Ethiopia’s national transformation, describing the initiative as a gateway to a more sophisticated and prosperous future for the nation, according to Ethiopian website Adiss Standard.
Abiy and First Lady Zinash Tayachew, together with senior government officials, officially launched the construction of the airport during a groundbreaking ceremony at the site, AS asserted .
Ethiopia kept on planning to build what could become Africa’s largest airport near Bishoftu, about an hour south of Addis Ababa, as part of efforts to entrench Ethiopian Airlines’ (ET) dominance in continental air travel, The Economist magazine previously reported.
However, The Economist highlights several challenges. Despite ET’s financial strength, the $8–10 billion price tag is substantial. Political instability and ongoing conflicts within Ethiopia, as well as tensions with Eritrea, could jeopardize the project. Competition from Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, as well as the expansion of Istanbul Airport and Turkish Airlines’ African network, also threatens ET’s dominance.
According to the magazine’s report on the proposed project, the planned airport is intended to reinforce Ethiopia’s role as Africa’s air-travel hub while supporting economic recovery following years of internal conflict.
the proposed airport would eventually handle up to 110 million passengers a year—surpassing Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, the world’s busiest airport in 2024. Ethiopian Airlines, wholly owned by the government, intends to cover roughly one-fifth of the estimated $10 billion cost, with the African, According to The Economist.
Sources cited by The Economist suggest that the airport’s ambitious scale may reflect government pressure, noting a pattern of mega-projects under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration. Concerns over government interference in ET’s operations persist. While the airline has historically maintained a “Chinese wall” between commercial and political decision-making, recent developments—including the resignation of its former CEO in 2022 amid alleged government pressure and the 2023 appointment of General Yilma Merdasa as board chairman—signal potential erosion of this autonomy.
Construction of the airport is expected to displace some 15,000 people in Bishoftu. Reports gathered by The Economist indicate that while some residents have been promised housing, others fear losing their land without compensation. Activists who voiced concerns have reportedly faced harassment and arrests.
Office of the Prime Minster shared on social media channels that Premier Abiy Ahmed described the day as a “milestone in Ethiopia’s journey toward modernization and prosperity.”AS Said.
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.
Additionally, the airline’s greatest strength having workforce of over 26,000 employees who believe in the airline as their flag carrier and honor what it represents as well as A continuous commitment to learning and capacity building.
Located about 40 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa at an altitude of 1,910 meters, Bishoftu offers optimal conditions for aircraft performance and the efficient handling of both origin-destination and transit passengers.
The project also includes the construction of a multi-lane modern highway linking the new airport with Addis Ababa, as well as a 38-kilometer high-speed railway with operating speeds of 120–200 km per hour, the office indicated.
In its first phase, Bishoftu International Airport will have the capacity to serve 60 million passengers annually.
The Economist concludes that while Ethiopia’s plans for Africa’s largest airport are ambitious and potentially transformative, the interplay of political interference, security risks, and regional competition could significantly affect the project’s timeline and scope.
land-locked due to internal fragmentation and ethnic conflicts, expert refutes Ethiopian lies
