UK studio Zaha Hadid Architects has started construction of Bishoftu International Airport, a landmark project set to become the largest aviation infrastructure development in Africa.
The new airport is being built in Bishoftu, about 40 kilometres south of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, and is designed to position Ethiopia as a major global aviation hub.
Named Bishoftu International Airport (BIA), the project will be operated by Ethiopian Airlines and is scheduled to open its first phase in 2030.
“Bishoftu International Airport is a visionary project for Ethiopia and Africa as a whole,” said Cristiano Ceccato de Sabata, Director of Aviation at Zaha Hadid Architects. “Airports bring people together and connect regions, and this project will serve as Africa’s global gateway.”
When completed, the airport will have four runways, parking space for 270 aircraft, and the capacity to handle up to 110 million passengers a year. The first phase will include two runways and a 660,000-square-metre terminal, serving 60 million passengers annually.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the new airport is essential as Ethiopia’s current main airport is nearing full capacity. “Bishoftu International Airport will be more than four times the size of our existing airport and will secure Ethiopia’s future as a leading aviation hub,” he said.
The terminal will be built using locally manufactured concrete and steel and connected to Addis Ababa by high-speed rail. Inside, the design will reflect Ethiopia’s regions through different colours and architectural styles, with a central layout inspired by the Great Rift Valley.
The airport is also being built with sustainability in mind. It is targeting LEED Gold certification, using natural ventilation, solar shading, and solar power, while stormwater will be directed into new wetlands and landscaped areas.
Zaha Hadid Architects, founded by the late Zaha Hadid and now led by Patrik Schumacher, is behind some of the world’s most iconic airports, including Beijing Daxing International Airport and Western Sydney International Airport.
