Construction has begun in the town of Bishoftu on what Ethiopia says will be Africa’s biggest airport and the continent's largest aviation infrastructure project. When it reaches its full capacity in 2030, the travel hub will be able to handle some 110 million passengers a year. That is more than four times the capacity of Ethiopia’s current main airport, Bole, which can handle up to 25 million passengers annually. Ethiopia hopes to attract foreign tourism despite the ongoing armed conflict in its two most populous regions - Amhara and Oromia - with Bishoftu located in the latter. Funding sources for the Bishoftu hub includes the national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, international financiers, and the African Development Bank.

Officials said the new airport will feature four runways and parking for up to 270 aircraft. It is intended to replace Bole International Airport, located in the capital, which currently handles about 25 million international passengers per year. Authorities warn Bole is expected to reach capacity within the next two to three years due to growing air traffic.

SubscribeAir Côte d’Ivoire is planning to spread its wings to yet another long-haul destination with the launch of flights from Abidjan to Beirut. Photo: Courtesy of dn280TLS / PlanespottersAs reported in this week’s schedule update, Air Côte d’Ivoire is also increasing flights on the Abidjan-Paris route from daily to 8 weekly from summer 2026. Beirut launch planned for March 2026As outlined in the carrier’s filings to schedules, Air Côte d’Ivoire will be adding service to Beirut from 29 March, 2026. Why the long-haul strategy is riskyAir Côte d’Ivoire becomes the latest carrier in the region to attempt a venture into the long-haul market. It plans to launch flights to New York further down the line – also something that Air Senegal had tried (and failed).

Here’s a comprehensive look at the airline stopover programmes available in 2026, what they actually include, and how they differ. Etihad Airways — Abu DhabiEtihad’s Abu Dhabi stopover programme includes complimentary hotel stays on eligible itineraries, alongside optional paid extensions and destination perks. Qatar Airways — DohaQatar Airways does not typically offer free hotel stays, but its Doha stopover programme is among the most cost-effective subsidised options available. Singapore Airlines — SingaporeSingapore Airlines supports stopovers via multi-city bookings and promotes separate stopover packages through its Singapore Stopover product. 2026 list of airline stopover programmesThis table provides a handy reference of airlines’ dedicated stopover programme pages, including what is (and isn’t) included.

Ethiopian Airlines has kicked off construction of a new $12.5 billion airport in Bishoftu, about 45 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa, in what officials describe as Africa’s largest aviation infrastructure project to date. ADVERTISEMENTSidara, a Dubai-based engineering and consulting business, has been contracted to design the airport, according to the company's head of operations, Tariq Al Qanni. Project fundingEthiopian Airlines plans to fund 30% of the project, with the remainder coming from lenders. The company has already set aside $610 million for initial earthworks, scheduled for completion within a year, while major contractors are expected to begin construction in August 2026. Originally estimated at $10 billion, the project has since been revised to $12.5 billion.

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Ethiopia on Saturday officially began construction of a new international airport in the city of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, in a bid to become Africa’s largest. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Saturday the start of construction of the project, describing it as “the biggest infrastructure project in Africa’s aviation history”. In a message posted via X, he said the multi-airport strategy aims to position Ethiopia as Africa’s leading air transport gateway in the future. The mega airport project will include a multi-lane motorway connecting the new airport to the capital, as well as a 38-kilometer-long high-speed railway. With a population of about 130 million, Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country.

Show FullscreenETHIOPIA: Ethiopian Railways Corp has launched construction of the Bishoftu Railway Academy, which Chief Executive Hlina Belachew said would be ‘a foundation for knowledge, innovation and the future of Ethiopian and East African railways’. Minister of Transport & Logistics Alemu Sime said the modern training, research and technology centre would help strengthen national connectivity, support economic growth and develop skilled professionals for the country’s expanding railway network. The 62 ha facility is also envisaged as a regional centre of excellence, offering training to neighbouring countries and contributing to regional integration.

BISHOFTU— Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has formally launched construction of a new $12.5 billion international airport project that is expected to become the largest aviation facility on the African continent once completed in 2030. The state-owned carrier confirmed that the new Bishoftu International Airport will supplement and eventually relieve pressure on Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), which is projected to reach its operational limits within the next two to three years. Photo:Zemedeneh Negatu – XAirport Construction fundingThe airport project was initially estimated to cost $10 billion, but revised plans and expanded capacity have pushed the total investment to $12.5 billion. Ethiopian Airlines has continued to expand aggressively, adding six new routes during the 2024/25 period while also reporting steady revenue growth. By securing the airport’s design contract internally, Ethiopian Airlines aims to ensure operational efficiency and alignment with its fleet, maintenance, and hub-management requirements.

From a joint press release following the discussions between the two foreign ministers which was made public on January 9, Ethiopia has made several reaffirmations of political and diplomatic nature. One of the key issues highlighted in the eight points joint press release , from the Chinese point of view, was the status of Taiwan as an integral part of China. The Chinese position in the joint press release reads ,”China attached great importance to Ethiopia’s role in the Horn of Africa. As to the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa outcomes, China and Ethiopia pledged for its implementation. However, it seems to have changed a policy as it is aspiring cooperation in Africa including in the areas of culture.

Ethiopian Airlines on Saturday officially started a $12.5 billion construction project for what officials say will be Africa’s biggest airport when completed in 2030 in the Ethiopian town of Bishoftu. “Bishoftu International Airport will be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa’s history,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali said on X. That is more than four times the capacity of Ethiopia’s current main airport, which will reach its limits on existing traffic in the next two-to-three years, Abiy said. The airline’s Infrastructure Development & Planning Director Abraham Tesfaye told reporters it would fund 30% and lenders would finance the rest. Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s biggest carrier.

Ethiopia on Saturday started building what the prime minister says will be Africa's biggest airport when completed in the town of Bishoftu, southeast of the capital Addis Ababa. Partly financed by national carrier Ethiopian Airlines, the Bishoftu hub is expected to replace the capital's Bole Airport, which can handle up to 25 million passengers annually. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Saturday announced construction of "the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa's history" had begun. "This multi-airport strategy aims to future-proof Ethiopia's role as Africa's leading air transport gateway," he said in a post on X. AdvertisementEthiopia, Africa's second-most populous country with some 130 million inhabitants, has launched major infrastructure projects in recent years.

Ethiopia launches construction of Africa's largest airportAddis Ababa, Jan. 10 (UNI) 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. 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.

On January 10, 2026, the Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Ahmed Hassan Aden, convened a high-level meeting in Mogadishu with the Acting Ambassador of Ethiopia, H.E. By securing a reliable regional partner, Somalia reduces its economic vulnerability and strengthens its position within the Blue Economy framework of the Horn of Africa. Strengthening fish trade ties with Somalia provides a direct and geographically logical supply chain for seafood, reducing the reliance on expensive imports from outside the continent. By simplifying the logistics of these transfers, Ethiopia can lower the cost of food for its citizens while bolstering its role as a central hub for regional trade and consumption.

"Competitiveness in the global market depends not only on the volume of coffee exports but also on its quality. Strict monitoring is being carried out to ensure that coffee is produced with high quality," he said. China, one of the East African country's fast-expanding coffee export destinations, has become the fourth-largest importer of Ethiopian coffee, up from seventh position two years ago. Regarded as the origin of Arabica coffee, Ethiopia is one of Africa's largest producers and exporters of the commodity. Widely recognized for its quality and rich flavors, ranging from winy to fruity and chocolatey, the country's coffee has been in great demand across the globe.