Ethiopian Airlines Group, recognized as the premier airline in Africa, has entered into a technical advisory and consultancy agreement with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (Shair and Partners), who collaborate with the esteemed Zaha Hadid Architects. This partnership aims to initiate the design and oversight of a Mega Airport City in Abusera, located in Bishoftu city.
This airport city, situated merely 40 kilometers from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, is set to transform air travel within Ethiopia. Once completed, the new airport is anticipated to accommodate 110 million passengers annually, which represents a fourfold increase over the current capacity of Bole International Airport.
Mesfin Tasew, the Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, has unveiled the Mega Airport City initiative, emphasizing its significance in positioning Ethiopia as a prominent global aviation center. He stated, “This project is set to improve connectivity while fostering economic development and emphasizing environmentally sustainable practices both within our nation and internationally. It embodies the airline’s dedication to innovation and sustainability. With its remarkable capacity and state-of-the-art facilities, this new airport is poised to enhance African aviation and fortify collaborations, representing a major leap forward for the region’s air travel infrastructure.”
Tariq Al-Qanni, the Director of Operations for Dar in Ethiopia, remarked, “We are honored to partner with Ethiopian Airlines on this ambitious new airport project, which will enhance essential global air connectivity, stimulate economic development in Ethiopia, and position Ethiopian Airlines as a leading and competitive aviation group in Africa.” The initial phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2029, with the contract aiming to establish Ethiopia as the premier global gateway to Africa, capable of accommodating 60 million passengers annually—nearly three times the traffic recorded at Africa’s busiest airport in 2022, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Ultimately, the new airport is designed to handle 110 million passengers each year, significantly increasing the capacity of Bole International Airport.
The Mega Airport City is set to encompass a terminal spanning 1.1 million square meters, which will house passenger amenities, alongside 126,190 square meters dedicated to airline support services, and more than 100,000 square meters allocated for cargo and airport support facilities. Additionally, it will incorporate a related airfield and other vital airport infrastructure.
The newly constructed airport is located at a lower altitude than the existing main hub, Addis Ababa, which is among the highest airports globally, thereby introducing distinct operational challenges for aircraft. The design team intends to integrate aspects of Ethiopian culture to create a new iconic facility for the country—an airport that prioritizes the needs of its users, featuring intuitive design, sustainability, resilience, and preparedness for the future. Ethiopian Airlines is unwavering in its dedication to enhancing the customer experience to extraordinary levels, guaranteeing that each journey is distinguished by excellence and innovation.
