Ethiopian Airlines Group has announced the official commencement of construction of Bishoftu International Airport. Construction began on 10 January 2026 following an official groundbreaking ceremony. The event was attended by His Excellency Dr Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, ministers, senior government officials, industry leaders, stakeholders and Ethiopian Airlines executives.
Ethiopian Airlines also unveiled the airport’s design and confirmed the successful completion of the resettlement and livelihood restoration project for communities affected within the project area. Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed, alongside senior government officials and Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Mesfin Tasew, placed the plaque marking the official commencement of construction.
Reflecting on the groundbreaking ceremony, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr Mesfin Tasew said: “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 another milestone, underscoring our commitment to shaping the future of the African air transport industry while supporting growing demand for passenger and cargo services. Bishoftu International Airport is a major step towards addressing the infrastructure gap in Africa and a key contributor to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). At Ethiopian, we are committed to seeing this project through to completion.”
In his remarks, Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed described the day as a milestone in Ethiopia’s journey towards 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 prioritising safety and security, leadership driven by creativity and hard work, a workforce of more than 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 represents a defining project for both Ethiopian and African aviation, facilitating trade, tourism and people-to-people connectivity within Africa and beyond. Phase One of the project is expected to be completed by 2030 and will accommodate 60 million passengers annually. Once fully completed, the airport will have the capacity to handle 110 million passengers per year.
