Overview
- Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed led a January 10–11 foundation ceremony near Bishoftu to launch construction of a new hub planned for 60 million passengers in Phase 1 and 110 million at full build-out.
- Ethiopian Airlines says the project will be delivered in phases with the first stage aimed for completion by 2030, and it has committed $610 million toward initial earthworks.
- The carrier plans to finance about 30% of the roughly $12.5 billion budget, with the rest expected from international lenders, while major construction is slated to ramp up in August 2026.
- Public specifications remain inconsistent, with reports varying between two and four runways and aircraft parking for 180 to 270 planes, indicating evolving designs.
- Backers say the airport will relieve pressure on Addis Ababa’s Bole Airport and link to the capital by expressway and fast rail, as the OLF alleges forced displacement of about 3,000 households and disputes compensation and resettlement terms.