Ethiopian Airlines signs design contract for new mega airport

Ethiopian Airlines (ET, Addis Ababa International) has signed a technical consultancy contract with an international multidisciplinary consulting firm to design a new “mega airport” that will handle 110 million passengers annually, more than four times the current capacity of Addis Ababa International. The project will reportedly cost US$6 billion over five years.

As the Ethiopian News Agency reports, CEO Mesfin Tasew stressed the importance of the project for the airline’s rapid growth and the role it will play in achieving its goal of $25 billion in annual revenue and 67 million passengers by 2035.

In a statement, the airline said it had appointed Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (Shair and Partners) in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects to design and oversee the project. The project will advance the airline’s expansion plans and establish Ethiopia as an international hub.

“The project will not only improve connectivity but also boost economic growth and prioritize environmentally responsible practices in our country and beyond, reflecting the airline’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. With its exceptional capacity and world-class facilities, this new airport promises to add value to African aviation and strengthen partnerships, representing a significant step forward for the region’s aviation infrastructure,” commented Mesfin.

The new airport will be located in Abusera, a village 40 kilometers south of Addis Ababa and the current airport. When the first phase is completed by 2029, capacity will increase to 60 million passengers, almost three times the 2022 capacity at the current Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, the airline said.

Dubbed a “mega airport city,” the project will include a 1.1 million square meter terminal building with passenger facilities, 126,190 square meters of airline support facilities, and more than 100,000 square meters of cargo and other airport support facilities, as well as “an associated airfield.”

The new airport will be located at around 1,800 m above sea level, while Addis International Airport is currently at 2,300 m above sea level, so airlines are expected to benefit from slightly improved takeoff performance despite the still hot and high temperatures.