Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Airways, the flag provider of Ethiopia, and Dar Al-Handasah, a global consulting agency, signed an settlement on Friday for the design and supervision of a brand new mega airport to be constructed close to Bishoftu city, about 42 km east of the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.
The brand new airport could have the capability to deal with 100 million passengers a yr and supply parking for 270 plane, Mesfin Tasew, chief government officer (CEO) of Ethiopian Airways Group, stated in a briefing, Xinhua information company reported.
“The brand new four-runway airport might be Africa’s largest when the development is accomplished in 2029,” Tasew advised reporters, highlighting that by endeavor a mega airport venture, the airline is writing a brand new chapter in its aviation historical past.
The CEO stated Addis Ababa Bole Worldwide Airport, presently the principle hub for Africa’s largest airline, will quickly attain its capability of serving 25 million passengers per yr.
“The brand new mega airport is a five-year venture that might be finalised in 2029. It’s going to have two phases, and upon completion of the primary part with two runways, the airport could have the capability to deal with 60 million passengers a yr,” Tasew stated.
Based on him, part one alone will value the airline at the very least $6 billion, and the cash will come from loans from corporations which have already proven curiosity.
Ethiopian Airways carried 17.1 million passengers within the 2023/2024 monetary yr and expects to hold 20 million passengers within the new monetary yr that begins on July 8, 2024.
The brand new airport, to be constructed on a complete space of 35 sq. km, will embrace procuring and lodge amenities. As soon as the venture design is accomplished, the development of the mega airport might be put out to tender.