BISHOFTU— Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has formally launched construction of a new $12.5 billion international airport project that is expected to become the largest aviation facility on the African continent once completed in 2030. The state-owned carrier confirmed that the new Bishoftu International Airport will supplement and eventually relieve pressure on Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), which is projected to reach its operational limits within the next two to three years. Photo:Zemedeneh Negatu – XAirport Construction fundingThe airport project was initially estimated to cost $10 billion, but revised plans and expanded capacity have pushed the total investment to $12.5 billion. Ethiopian Airlines has continued to expand aggressively, adding six new routes during the 2024/25 period while also reporting steady revenue growth. By securing the airport’s design contract internally, Ethiopian Airlines aims to ensure operational efficiency and alignment with its fleet, maintenance, and hub-management requirements.

Source: Ethiopian News January 11, 2026 05:42 UTC