The UK’s Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) and Beirut-headquartered consultant Dar Al-Handasah (DAR) have won a design consultancy contract for an airport in Abusera, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The airport's first phase, estimated at US$6 billion, will accommodate 60 million passengers annually, with the capacity increasing to 110 million in future phases. The 600,000-square-meter airport will complement the existing Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, which has limited room for expansion. A new express railway will connect the airport to central Addis Ababa. The airport will feature green initiatives, including on-site renewable energy generation, natural ventilation, and rainwater reuse and storage. ZHA and Dar Al-Handasah will collaborate with Pascall+Watson Architects, aviation specialists Landrum & Brown, and engineers TY Lin on the project, with the first phase scheduled for completion in 2029.

The new airport's location allows for gradual expansion to meet future demand, and its lower altitude above sea level will improve aircraft performance during take-off. This will enable Ethiopian Airlines to maximize its modern fleet's capacity, carrying more passengers and cargo to more global destinations on longer, non-stop flights with reduced fuel consumption. The first phase, expected to be completed in 2029, will accommodate 60 million passengers annually—nearly three times the size of Africa's current busiest airport—expanding both the customer base and fleet. Ultimately, the airport will be designed to handle 110 million domestic, international, and transfer passengers each year, four times the capacity of the existing Bole airport, aligning with Ethiopian Airlines' growth projections.