Ethiopian Airlines has set its sights on a groundbreaking venture with the recent announcement of a monumental $6 billion airport project, set to become the largest in Africa. The state media unveiled this colossal initiative that is poised to redefine the continent’s aviation landscape.

Once completed within the next five years, the new airport hub is projected to accommodate a staggering 100 million passengers annually, a testament to Ethiopian Airlines’ ambitious vision for the future of air travel. Mesfin Tasew, the airline’s Chief Executive, shared insights during a press conference, highlighting the monumental scale of this transformative project.

In a strategic move, Ethiopian Airlines inked a significant memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dubai-based consultancy firm Dar to spearhead the design phase of the airport. Boasting four runways, the airport will be strategically located in Bishoftu, approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa, sprawling over an expansive 35 square kilometers.

“The inaugural phase will witness the construction of airport facilities with a capacity to serve 60 million passengers annually. Subsequent phases will propel this capacity to over 100 million passengers per year,” Mesfin Tasew expounded, as reported by the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate.

Tariq Al-Qanni, the Director of Operations at Dar, emphasized the sheer magnitude of this undertaking, asserting that upon completion, this airport will stand as a monumental testament to Africa’s aviation prowess. The agreement with Dar encompasses not only the intricate design of the airport but also extends to the crucial selection of contractors who will materialize this grand vision.

Ethiopian Airlines, a dominant force in the African aviation sector, recently disclosed a remarkable revenue of $7 billion for the 2023/24 financial year, having transported 17.1 million passengers. The existing Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, the current nerve center for the airline, has a maximum capacity of 25 million passengers annually, underscoring the pressing need for expansion and modernization.

As Ethiopian Airlines propels itself towards this ambitious new chapter in its storied history, the $6 billion airport project stands as a testament to the airline’s unwavering commitment to innovation, growth, and excellence in aviation. Africa’s skies are poised for a transformative shift, with Ethiopian Airlines leading the charge towards a brighter, more interconnected future.