Ethiopia Plans to Build Africa’s Largest Airport in Bishoftu with a £5 Billion Investment Set to Revolutionize Global Aviation

Ethiopia is on track to build Africa’s largest airport near the town of Bishoftu, with a massive £5 billion investment.

This project, dubbed ‘Mega Airport City,’ promises to revolutionize air travel on the continent.

Upon completion, it will become one of the busiest airports globally, showcasing Ethiopia’s growing economic influence and strategic importance.

The Scope and Vision

Ethiopian Airlines, in collaboration with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, finalized the design and oversight agreements for the project earlier this year.

According to Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, the airport aims not only to boost connectivity but also to stimulate economic growth and incorporate environmentally sustainable practices.

The project is set to cater to an estimated 110 million passengers annually, making it a significant hub in global aviation.

Completion is projected for 2029.

Cutting-Edge Design and Infrastructure

The new airport, located just 40 kilometers from Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, will feature a state-of-the-art terminal and four runways, designed to handle large volumes of air traffic.

Dubai-based Sidara engineering firm and renowned architectural firm Zaha Hadid Architects are behind the innovative design.

This modern facility will help solidify Ethiopia’s role as a key player in Africa’s aviation sector.

Current Airport Landscape in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa Bole Airport, the country’s main gateway, currently holds the title of Ethiopia’s busiest airport.

Positioned at an altitude of 2,334 meters, it ranks among the highest airports in the world.

However, this new mega-airport is expected to far surpass it in terms of capacity and global reach.

The World’s Largest Airports

While the new Ethiopian mega-airport will certainly be a game-changer for the region, it faces tough competition from some of the world’s largest airports.

For reference, here are the biggest airports by land area:

1. King Fahd International, Dammam, Saudi Arabia – 776 km²
2. Denver International, Denver, US – 135.7 km²
3. Dallas/Fort Worth International, Dallas, US – 69.6 km²
4. Orlando International, Orlando, US – 53.8 km²
5. Washington Dulles International, Washington, US – 48.6 km²
6. Beijing Daxing International, Beijing, China – 46.6 km²
7. George Bush Intercontinental, Houston, US – 44.5 km²
8. Shanghai Pudong International, Shanghai, China – 39.9 km²
9. Cairo International, Cairo, Egypt – 36.3 km²
10. Suvarnabhumi International, Bangkok, Thailand – 32.4 km²

Despite its vast size, King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia sees only 9.7 million passengers annually, which places it far outside the top 100 globally in terms of traffic.

This highlights the distinction between physical size and operational capacity.

What’s Next for Ethiopia?

With this mega-airport in the works, Ethiopian Airlines is expected to strengthen its position as one of Africa’s leading carriers.

This project not only raises Ethiopia’s global profile but could also drive significant growth in tourism and business travel.

As the completion date draws closer, all eyes will be on this ambitious development and its impact on the future of air travel in Africa and beyond.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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