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Ethiopia set for mega Addis Ababa airport upgrade as traveller numbers grow

Travellers board an Ethiopian Airlines flight bound for Sao Paulo, Brazil, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 4, 2024. (Photo: Marc Fernandes/ NurPhoto via AFP)

By Eastleigh Voice Reporter | Sunday, April 21, 2024

The New Addis Ababa International Airport project will cost between £1.6 billion and £2.5 billion.

Ethiopia is set to embark on a monumental project—the construction of the New Addis Ababa International Airport in an effort to modernise its aviation infrastructure.

With a projected budget of between ETB40 and 50 billion (£1.6 billion and £2.5 billion), according to the Daily Express, this ambitious endeavour aims to replace the current airport and meet the needs of a rapidly growing aviation sector.

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The Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (EAA), the driving force behind the initiative, is preparing to construct a state-of-the-art aviation hub with four runways.

Once completed, the EAA anticipates the new airport will accommodate up to 120 million passengers annually, a significant leap from the current capacity of 25 million.

The vision extends far beyond the primary function of a transportation hub. Embracing the concept of an 'airport city,' the project will give rise to a vibrant urban centre within its vicinity.

Plans include the development of hotels, shopping malls, office buildings, and residential apartments, to transform the area into a bustling nexus of activity and commerce.

Addressing the Aviation Club of the UK on December 5, 2023, Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mesfin Tasew unveiled the airline's ambitious growth strategy, which included the development of this new airport to accommodate increasing passenger demand.

Mesfin emphasised that the airline is poised to reach 25 million passengers soon, marking the capacity ceiling for the existing site with this expansion.

The airline has identified a new airport site approximately 38 kilometres (24 miles) south of Addis Ababa.

Mesfin announced, "We have decided on the location and reached an understanding to move forward," marking a significant milestone in the airline's growth strategy.

Crucially, the new airport will be situated at a lower altitude compared with Ethiopian Airlines’ existing home hub, which sits at 7,500 feet, making it among the highest in the world. This creates operational challenges for aircraft.

Leading the charge in the planning and execution of this monumental undertaking is ADP Ingenierie, a renowned name in the field of airport design and engineering.

ADP's expertise and innovation position the New Addis Ababa International Airport to set higher standards in aviation infrastructure.

The completion timeline for this ambitious venture is just two years, with the target date being December 31, 2025.

Ethiopian Airlines expects the new airport to pave the way for its continued expansion, solidifying its position as a leading aviation player in Africa.

With its sights set on sustained growth, the airline is poised to make a significant impact on the global aviation landscape.