ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Saturday officially launched the construction of the Bishoftu International Airport, which is expected to become Africa's largest aviation hub upon completion.
The prime minister, accompanied by senior government officials, laid the cornerstone for the construction of the mega airport near Bishoftu town in the Oromia regional state, about 40 kilometers southeast of the capital, Addis Ababa.
Speaking at the ceremony, Abiy said the mega airport project is part of Ethiopia's broader strategy to sustain rapid aviation growth and strengthen the country's position as Africa's leading air transport gateway.
"I would like to congratulate you all for being part of this great day and attending such a joyful ceremony, marking the beginning of Ethiopia's move toward modernization, prosperity and enthusiasm for change," Abiy said.
He noted that the new airport will have the capacity to accommodate 60 million passengers per year when its first-phase construction is completed in four years, and 110 million passengers annually when fully completed.
The Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, which has the capacity to handle around 25 million passengers annually, will soon reach its maximum capacity at the current pace of growth, according to the Prime Minister.
"The first phase of the airport project will have two huge passenger terminals, two parallel runways, parking areas accommodating 180 airplanes, a hotel, and a cargo terminal that can handle 1.5 million tonnes of goods annually, as well as an aircraft maintenance hub," said Mesfin Tasew, group chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group.
According to the Tasew, the first-phase project will also include the construction of a multi-lane modern highway linking the new airport with Addis Ababa, as well as a 38-kilometer high-speed railway with operating speeds of 120 to 200 km per hour.
Once completed, Ethiopia's new mega airport is expected to strengthen Ethiopian Airlines' global competitiveness, enhance Africa's connectivity under the African Continental Free Trade Area, expand trade and tourism corridors, and position the East African country as a major intercontinental aviation hub.
