Curated by Archirev Editorial | Feature Story | Published Jan 16, 2026 | Source: Zaha Hadid Architect
PROJECT TYPOLOGY: TRANSPORTATION (AIRPORT)
Project name: Bishoftu International Airport (BIA)
Location: Bishoftu, Ethiopia (approx. 40 km south of Addis Ababa)
Client: Ethiopian Airlines (Federal Government of Ethiopia)
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
Design Lead: Patrik Schumacher
Project Director: Cristiano Ceccato de Sabata
Lead Consultant & Airport Planner: DAR (Dar Al Handasah)
Size: Approx. 660,000m²
Status: Under construction
Sustainability Target: LEED Gold Rating
Capacity:
– Phase One: 60 million passengers per year
– Ultimate capacity: 110 million passengers per year
Key features:
– Two runways in Phase One; four runways at full build-out
– 660,000 m² terminal in Phase One
– Airside hotel with 350 guestrooms
– Central spine inspired by the Great Rift Valley
Renderngs: © Render by X-Universe
Animation: ©Longo Pongo
Construction has begun on Bishoftu International Airport (BIA), a significant new aviation hub located approximately 40 kilometres south of Addis Ababa, near the city of Bishoftu. Commissioned by Ethiopian Airlines Group and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the project is set to become the largest airport on the African continent and a key piece of Ethiopia’s
The airport officially broke ground on January 10, 2026, when Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali laid the cornerstone at the site. Once completed, Bishoftu International Airport will significantly exceed the capacity of Addis Ababa’s existing Bole International Airport, which is expected to reach its operational limits within the next two to three years.
Phase One of the project is designed to serve 60 million passengers annually, with later phases expanding capacity to 110 million passengers per year, supported by four runways and parking for up to 270 aircraft. With a total investment of approximately US$12.5 billion, the airport responds to projected passenger demand growth across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, positioning Ethiopia as a strategic global aviation hub.
Designed to serve Ethiopian Airlines, the largest carrier on the continent, the airport prioritizes efficiency for transfer passengers, who are expected to represent up to 80 percent of total traffic. To support this operational model, the terminal incorporates extensive airside amenities, including a 350-room hotel, a wide range of dining and entertainment facilities, and outdoor gardens and courtyards designed for rest within the secure zone.
Programme organisation / Image credit: X Universe
The terminal’s organization is structured around a single central spine, inspired by the Great Rift Valley, which runs through Ethiopia and passes close to Bishoftu. This spine connects the terminal’s facilities and aircraft piers, minimizing walking distances and simplifying navigation for connecting passengers. Each pier features a distinct interior material palette and colour identity, referencing the cultural and geographic diversity of Ethiopia’s regions.
Bishoftu International Airport’s location also offers clear operational advantages. Situated at an elevation nearly 400 metres lower than Addis Ababa’s existing airport and equipped with longer runways, the site allows aircraft to operate more efficiently. These conditions enable higher maximum take-off weights, allowing Ethiopian Airlines to carry more passengers and cargo while using less fuel on long-haul, non-stop routes to global destinations.
The airport will be delivered in multiple construction phases, with an initial opening targeted for 2030. Phase One includes two independent parallel Code 4E runways and a terminal covering approximately 660,000 square metres. Future phases will add additional runways and aircraft stands, allowing the airport to expand in line with long-term demand.
The terminal’s organization is structured around a single central spine, inspired by the Great Rift Valley, which runs through Ethiopia and passes close to Bishoftu. This spine connects the terminal’s facilities and aircraft piers, minimizing walking distances and simplifying navigation for connecting passengers. Each pier features a distinct interior material palette and colour identity, referencing the cultural and geographic diversity of Ethiopia’s regions.
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