Ethiopia to build Africa’s largest airport

Ethiopia plans to build Africa’s largest international airport to the tune of US$5 billion, with capacity to handle 100 million passengers a year.

The new hub at Bishofu, a small town to the southeast of the capital, Addis Ababa, will cover an area of around 35 square kilometres and will replace the existing Bole Airport, predicted to outgrow itself within the next 3 to 4 years.

An airport on such a scale would be the world’s largest in terms of international passenger traffic, outstripping Hong Kong International, London Heathrow and Dubai International, currently the world’s busiest.

The airport forms part of a 15-year expansion plan for Ethiopia’s aviation industry, which has already made moves into Malawi, Chad, Zambia and Mozambique, with further plans to start airlines in Ghana and Nigeria.

Between 2018-19, Ethiopian Airlines recorded a 25 per cent profit increase to US$260 million as it carries more passengers and cargo.

Photo: Africa Legal Network