Ethiopian Airlines eyes 2029 opening for new hub as plans take shape

Ethiopian Airlines Group has signed an advisory and consultancy contract with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants covering plans for a new 110m-passenger airport located around 40km southeast of its existing Addis Ababa Bole hub. Ethiopia has for several years flagged the need for a hub with more capacity as part of its long-term development plans – included in the Ethiopian Airlines Vision 2035 strategy – and the Star Alliance carrier has previously identified a site at Abusera in Bishoftu for the facility. The airline has now announced plans for the new airport to open in 2029, initially with a passenger capacity of 60m – double that of the existing Bole hub – after disclosing it has signed a deal with Dar Al-Handasah to ”embark on the design and supervision of a Mega Airport City at Abusera” in Bishoftu, to the southeast of the capital. Ethiopian Airlines Group CE Mesfin Tasew says: “The project will not only enhance connectivity but also drive economic growth and prioritise environmentally responsible practices in our country and beyond. ”With its exceptional capacity and world-class facilities, this new airport promises to elevate African aviation and strengthen partnerships, marking a significant advancement for the region’s air travel infrastructure.” While initially opening with a capacity of 60m passengers, plans are in place for the airport to be expanded to handle 110m passengers annually – making it the largest hub in Africa. Notably, the new airport would be sited at a lower elevation compared to the existing Addis Ababa hub, which presents additional operational challenges.<br/>