Bishoftu International Airport

The new $12.5 billion gateway will transform air travel to Ethiopia and potentially the African continent.

Ethiopian Airlines Group has begun construction of what could eventually be African continent’s largest airport in Bishoftu, around 40 kilometres south of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

If all goes to plan, upon completion of Phase One of its development, the new Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) will initially be equipped to handle up to 60 million passengers per annum when it opens in 2030.

However, further development phases will potentially grow this capacity to 110 million passengers annually, with the airport ultimately having four runways and parking for 270 aircraft.

The new airport is needed to ensure that Ethiopia is able to meet future demand with a global transportation hub for the 21st century.

Providing some perspective for the expected rise in demand, IATA forecasts that traffic to East Africa will grow by more than 200% over the next decade.

Ethiopia’s location at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and the Middle East and, together with new opportunities that BIA will open up for the country, make Ethiopian Airlines extremely confident in the success of the new gateway.

Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new airport earlier this year, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, said: “Bishoftu International Airport will be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history, more than four times the capacity of Ethiopia’s current main airport, which will reach its limits on existing traffic in the next two to three years.”

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects to meet the airline’s future operational needs, BIA is expected to become Africa’s global aviation hub, providing facilities of the highest standard with a strong focus on transferring passengers.

With up to 80% of passengers transiting between destinations without leaving the airport, Zaha Hadid notes that BIA will contain “extensive amenities for transiting passengers”.

These will include an airside hotel with 350 guestrooms, a wide variety of dining and entertainment facilities, and outdoor gardens and courtyards for relaxation.

According to Zaha Hadid Architects, each of the terminal’s piers will incorporate a unique interior materiality and colour palette to reflect the diverse regions of Ethiopia.

Inspired by the Great Rift Valley that passes near Bishoftu as it crosses through the country, a single central spine will connect the terminal’s facilities and aircraft piers in a bid to minimise transfer distances and ensure connecting passengers can easily navigate to their next departure gate.

BIA’s elevation almost 400m lower than Addis Ababa’s existing Bole Airport and longer runways should enhance aircraft performance, enabling Ethiopian Airlines to optimise the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of their modern fleet of aircraft.

Cristiano Ceccato de Sabata, Zaha Hadid Architects’ director of aviation, said: “Bishoftu International Airport is a visionary project for Ethiopia and Africa as a whole.

“Airports bring people together and bridge national divides. ZHA is honoured to be part its development – connecting every region of the continent as Africa’s global gateway.”

Situated within the temperate subtropical highland climate of Ethiopia’s Oromia region, BIA’s passenger terminal has been designed to achieve LEED Gold certification.

The terminal will be naturally ventilated with effective solar shading and will include semi-enclosed spaces and outdoor areas for transferring passengers to enjoy the region’s warm summers and mild winters.

Constructed using modular fabrication and assembly to ensure flexibility and cost-effective efficiency, BIA’s procurement will incorporate concrete, aggregates and steel that have been produced or recycled locally in Bishoftu.

Stormwater from the airport’s runways, taxiways and aprons –as well as the roofs of the passenger terminal and cargo buildings – will be channelled into new wetlands and bioswales for storage and reuse while also enhancing the airport’s local biodiversity.

Photovoltaic arrays installed throughout BIA will enable on-site energy production.

Landscaped with native drought-resistant planting including resettled trees, Zaha Hadid notes that the airport’s design integrates landside public parks for locals and airside gardens for passengers.

BIA will be connected to the centre of Addis Ababa and the existing Bole Airport via a high-speed rail link, serving as the cornerstone of a new regional transport network.

Located in an area that supports 24-hour operations without the need for a curfew, it is hoped that BIA and its integrated Airport City of mixed-use buildings will create new jobs supporting a local population of 80,000 and enable Ethiopian Airlines to continue its rapid growth and meet future passenger demand.

The hugely ambitious developments are said to support Ethiopian Airlines’ ‘Vision 2035’ strategy which outlines the goal to become a leading global aviation group offering passenger, cargo, and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services with a focus on technology and efficiency.

Project details

Location: Bishoftu, Ethiopia

Important developments: New airport

Scheduled completion: 2030 (Phase One)

Client: Ethiopian Airlines

Principal companies involved: Zaha Hadid Architects (Terminal Planner & Design Architect); Dar Al Handasah (Lead Consultant & Airport Planner)

Other Consultants: Beijing Urban Construction Group; China Communications Construction Company; Pascal + Watson; Maffeis; BNP Associates; Portland Design; Landrum & Brown; SPADA Ltd, Spectrum

Total investment: $12.5 billion