Bishoftu International Airport , Addis Ababa/ Äthiopien

Press release by Zaha Hadid Architects, London | January 14, 2026

 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

 

 

 

 

Construction has begun on the new Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) approximately 40 km south of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali laid the cornerstone at the airport’s groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday 10th January 2026.

 

"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,” said the Prime Minister.

 

BIA will serve Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects to meet the airline’s future passenger demand and operational needs, BIA will 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, BIA has been designed to accommodate these requirements—incorporating extensive amenities for transiting passengers including airside hotel with 350 guestrooms, a wide variety of dining and entertainment facilities, as well as outdoor gardens and courtyards for relaxation.

 

Each of the terminal’s piers incorporates 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 connects the terminal’s facilities and aircraft piers—minimising transfer distances and ensuring connecting passengers can easily navigate to their next departure gate.

 

BIA’s elevation at almost 400m lower than Addis Ababa’s existing Bole Airport—in addition to BIA’s longer runways—will enhance aircraft performance, enabling Ethiopian Airlines to optimise the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of their modern fleet of aircraft—using less fuel to carry more passengers and cargo on longer-range, non-stop flights to further global destinations.

 

Targeting an initial opening in 2030, BIA will be constructed in multiple stages. The first phase will include two Code 4E independent-operating parallel runways and 660,000m² terminal serving 60 million passengers annually (60MAP). Further phases will enable BIA to accommodate up to 110 million passengers every year with four runways and parking for 270 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 is 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, BIA’s design integrates landside public parks for local residents 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. Specifically located for 24-hour operations without the need for a curfew, 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. These new developments support the airline’s ‘Vision 2035’ strategy, becoming a leading global aviation group offering passenger, cargo, and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services with a focus on technology and efficiency.

 

 

 

 

 

Client: Ethiopian Airlines (Federal Government of Ethiopia)

Lead Consultant and Airport Planner: DAR (Dar Al Handasah)

Terminal Planner and Design Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)

ZHA Project Director: Cristiano Ceccato de Sabata

ZHA Project Manager: Paul Brislin

ZHA Project Leader: Clara Martins

ZHA Board Oversight: Charles Walker, Mouzhan Majidi

ZHA Project Architects: Leo Alves (Planning), Sai Prateik Bhasgi (Design), Electra Mikelides (Airport City)

ZHA Project Team: Abhilash Menon, Abhishek Jain, Adam Twigger, Aditya Ambare, Afsoon Eshaghi, Akis Polykandriotis, Aleksander Mastalski, Amin Divshali, Arnon van Embden Spanjaard, Aurora Santana, Bahaa Alnassrallah, Bechara Malkoun, Canon Lee, Carlos Bausa Martinez, Charles Walker, Chiara D'Anna, Christoph Geiger, Clara Martins, Cristiano Ceccato de Sabata, Cristina Barrios Cabrera, Dahyun Kim, Danae Mavridi, David Fogliano, Disha Shetty, Electra Mikelides, Elizabeth Konstantinidou, Evgeniya Yatsyuk, Fara Tengku Nasrudin, Genci Sulo, Ghanem Younes, Haohao Chen, Haoyue Zhang, Hyun Jin Kim, Jasmine Abu Hamdan, Jing Xu, Juan Fernandez Castanada, Julian Lin, Jung Yeon Kwak, Karmung Sze, Ken Bostock, Khaled Omara, Laetitia Khachwajian, Lars Elseth, Lenie Mets, Leo Alves, Liam Rogers, Marcella Fedele, Marco Cosmi, Maria Bystrova, Maria-Christina Manousaki, Mariagrazia Lanza, Matt Walker, Meenakshi Sharma, Michael O'Reilly, Michael Rogers, Michelle Sin, Mouzhan Majidi, Murathan Alp Ozok, Nassim Eshaghi, Nicolas Tornero, Ninad Katdare, Ningxin Zheng, Paul Brislin, Pavlos Symianakis, Peter Safranka, Ruzena Maskova, Sai Prateik Bhasgi, Shajay Bhooshan, Shao-wei Huang, Shibani Choudhury, Simona Viviani, Tul Srisompun, Ulrich Blum, Vasiliki Sargkani, Vegard Elseth, Vishu Bhooshan, Wo Lin, Yara Manla, Yaseen Bhatt

 

Contractors: Beijing Urban Construction Group (Enabling Works), China Communications Construction Company (Infrastructure)

Lead Consultant and Executive Architect: DAR Dar Al Handasah

Executive Interiors Architect: Pascall + Watson

Structural Engineers: DAR

Geotechnical Engineers: DAR

Cost Management: DAR

Environmental Sustainability: DAR

Façade Engineering: Maffeis

MEP Engineering: DAR

VHT Engineering: DAR

Transport Consultant: DAR

Fire Engineer:  DAR

Landscape Consultant: DAR UK

Architectural Lighting Design: Spectrum

Acoustic Consultant: DAR

Baggage Handling System: BNP Associates Inc.

ICT & Low Voltage: DAR

Security Planning: DAR

Wayfinding: DAR

Retail Planning & Analytics: Portland Design

Airfield and Apron Planning: Landrum & Brown

Airfield City Planner: SPADA Ltd.

Airport Master Planner: DAR + ZHA