Ethiopia awards contract to construct the biggest airport in Africa

Photo credit: Amit Jain

Ethiopian Airlines has awarded a contract to a consortium led by Dar, a Middle East-based architecture and engineering consultancy, to develop what will become the largest airport in Africa. Situated near Bishoftu, approximately 40 km from the capital Addis Ababa, the four-runway facility will ultimately accommodate 110m passengers annually and provide parking for 270 aircraft.

Construction will be phased, with the first stage – designed to accommodate 60m passengers and estimated to cost at least US$6bn – expected to be operational in 2029. The project will be financed through loans, with several companies already expressing interest.

The consortium's responsibilities encompass technical advisory, engineering, project management, and construction supervision for the development, which includes 600,000 m² of passenger facilities, 126,190 m² of airline support areas, and 28,050 m² dedicated to cargo infrastructure.

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, the current hub of state-owned Ethiopian Airlines, is nearing its annual capacity limit of 25m passengers. In the 2023/2024 financial year, Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest in terms of passenger numbers, carried 17.1m travellers, a figure expected to rise to 20m in the current fiscal year. The new airport will be connected to Bole via a fast train and a new road network.

The new airport’s location also offers an operational advantage due to its lower altitude compared to Bole International Airport, which, at 2,334 m, is one of the world’s highest major air hubs. This reduced elevation will enhance aircraft take-off performance, enabling Ethiopian Airlines’ planes to carry more passengers and cargo, using less fuel. An increase in altitude reduces air density, leading to less lift and engine thrust, which may necessitate aircraft to carry less fuel, passengers, or cargo to ensure a safe take-off.

Addis Ababa has emerged as an aviation logistics hub of the continent. Bole International connects key Asian cities such as Shanghai, Mumbai and Singapore and to African capitals. The construction of new airport is expected to draw some of the transit and logistics traffic away from aviation hubs such as Dubai. By 2035, Africa’s air traffic is expected to nearly double, reaching 260m passengers travelling to, from and within the continent. Furthermore, the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area is anticipated to boost air freight demand by 28%.

References

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‘Ethiopian Airlines signs deal for design of 'biggest airport in Africa'’, Reuters, 09 August 2024

‘Dar wins $6 billion contract for Ethiopian Airlines’ revolutionary airport project’, Addis Insight, 09 August 2024

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‘Ethiopian Airlines signs deal for $6 billion mega airport’, News24, 11 August 2024

‘Ethiopian Airlines awards consultancy contract for Ethiopia’s new international airport to consortium led by Dar’, Dar, 12 August 2024

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