One of the Largest Airports on Earth Is Rising in Africa

This New Airport Redefines What Global Infrastructure Can Look Like

A modern architectural design of a cultural center with large wooden structures, surrounded by landscaped gardens and people walking. An airplane is seen flying above, indicating proximity to an airport.

Construction has begun on Bishoftu International Airport, a landmark infrastructure project that stands among the most ambitious developments underway anywhere in Africa.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the airport signals a defining moment for Ethiopia’s future and for the continent’s growing role in global aviation.

Aerial view of a modern airport featuring multiple runways, taxiways, and terminals with airplanes parked at the gates.

Situated about 40 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa, Bishoftu International Airport is envisioned as Ethiopia’s primary international gateway for decades to come.

It responds to rapid growth in air travel across Africa while positioning the country as a central connector between Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Aerial view of a modern airport complex featuring multiple runways, terminals, and parked aircraft, surrounded by landscaped areas and roadways.

Once fully realized, the airport is expected to handle up to 110 million passengers annually, making it the largest airport on the continent by capacity.

Interior view of a modern escalator surrounded by a futuristic architectural design with a large, circular skylight above and people using the escalators.

Even its first phase, planned to open around 2030, is designed for roughly 60 million passengers per year, a scale that places it immediately among the world’s most significant aviation hubs.

Interior view of a modern airport terminal featuring spacious design, wooden ceilings, and large windows. Passengers are checking in, waiting, and moving through the area with luggage.

The terminal’s design emphasizes dignity, efficiency, and calm. A clear central spine organizes movement through the building, reducing transfer times for long haul travelers while maintaining intuitive wayfinding.

Interior view of a modern airport terminal featuring large open spaces, escalators, and greenery. Travelers are seen interacting and moving through the space.

Gardens, outdoor courtyards, and a 350 room airside hotel are integrated into the plan, offering rest and reflection within a space that must serve millions of people moving at speed.

A modern airport terminal interior filled with diverse passengers seated and waiting. The design features high ceilings, natural light, and comfortable seating areas. Digital flight information displays are visible in the background.

The architecture draws deeply from Ethiopia’s landscapes and cultural identity. Its forms and material language reference regional geographies, including the nearby Great Rift Valley, grounding the project in its physical and cultural context rather than relying on a generic global aesthetic.

A modern lounge area with stylish seating, featuring various people relaxing and socializing. Large windows provide a view of an airport runway and sunset, enhancing the bright and inviting atmosphere.

Environmental performance is central to the design. Passive ventilation, solar shading, renewable energy systems, and climate responsive water strategies are embedded throughout the project, aligning long term operational efficiency with local environmental realities.

A spacious airport terminal interior with high ceilings and modern design, featuring large windows, numerous travelers, and check-in counters.

Bishoftu International Airport is more than a transportation upgrade. It represents confidence, investment, and vision at a continental scale.

As one of Africa’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects, it reflects a future in which African cities shape global movement, design, and ambition on their own terms.