Ethiopia plans to build the largest airport the African continent has ever had. This project costs 6 billion USD and will be near its capital, Addis Ababa. It is designed to serve 100 million passengers per year.
On the 12th of August, a memorandum of agreement was reached between Ethiopian Airlines, the continent’s most prominent and fastest-growing carrier, and the international consulting firm DAR to build a new airport for Ethiopia.
Mesfin Taseu, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, stated that the complex will span 35 square meters. In five years, it will be built 17 km from the nation’s capital, close to the resort town of Bishoftu (Oromia region). For the massive construction project, DAR will also choose the contractors.
According to Mesfin Taseu, the first phase of the new international airport is intended to contain 60 million people annually. After the second phase, it can handle 100 million planes landing simultaneously. Bole Airport, the present “home” of Ethiopian Airlines, can handle 20 million passengers annually.
A Tour into the Biggest and Busiest Airports in the World
Dubai has seen a surge in real estate and the most tourists it has ever seen, turning the city from a place to stop over to a popular destination in and of itself. The airport saw 89.1 million passengers in 2018, its busiest year.
The world’s largest airport is being built in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Regarding passenger volume, it would surpass Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport, which handles about 105 million passengers annually. The airport’s anticipated initial passenger capacity is 120 million annually, increasing to 185 million in 2050.
Regarding passenger volume, O. R. Tambo International Airport is the biggest airport in Africa and among the busiest in the world. This airport, which serves Johannesburg, the economic hub of South Africa, handles more than 21 million people a year before 2020.
The airport has six terminals and is over 1,800 hectares in size. It is home to many foreign airlines and is the main hub for South African Airways. Modern amenities include corporate lounges, a sizable duty-free shopping area, and sophisticated cargo terminals, also part of O. R. Tambo’s amenities.
Cairo International Airport is the busiest airport in Egypt and among the largest and busiest in Africa, with about 16 million people a year. Passengers travelling between Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East use it as a major hub.
Over 40 square kilometres make up Cairo International, which has several terminals. Terminal 2 has recently been renovated to increase capacity and enhance the traveller experience.
The airport’s cargo terminal is one of the biggest in Africa, and it is renowned for its large capacity, allowing it to handle domestic and international flights.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Nigeria’s busiest airport, serves more than 8 million people annually. It is a major gateway to the region for tourists from abroad and serves Lagos, one of the biggest cities in Africa. The airport has domestic and international terminals.
Despite having a smaller capacity than O. R. Tambo and Cairo International, it is being developed to handle the increasing traffic better through initiatives like Terminal 2 extensions.
At over 12 million passengers a year, Addis Ababa Bole International is expanding quickly. One of the biggest and most prosperous airlines in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines, has its hub there. The airport has a single terminal building for domestic and international aircraft, covering an area of about 1,000 hectares. A wider runway and a new terminal are part of the development plans to handle the growing volume of passengers, especially as Ethiopian Airlines keeps growing its global presence.
With more than 10 million passengers a year, Cape Town International Airport is the second busiest airport in South Africa. It serves as the main entry point to Cape Town, a well-liked vacation spot. With a modern, well-equipped terminal that services both local and international travellers, Cape Town International Airport spans over 1,400 hectares. In addition, it offers a wide range of passenger amenities, such as dining options, retail stores, lounges, and substantial cargo facilities.
Morocco’s busiest airport, Mohammed V International in Casablanca, handles about 9 million passengers annually. The airport is a gateway for both domestic and international travel. King Shaka International Airport in Durban handles over 5 million travellers a year. It is one of the most important airports in South Africa for both domestic and regional travel, even though it is smaller than Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Opened in 2010, King Shaka International Airport is contemporary and well-designed. Its single terminal handles both domestic and international aircraft. The airport has expanded quickly, and to satisfy passenger demand, it also features a sizable cargo terminal and a range of services.
As the aviation business continues to advance, airports are competing with one another in terms of size, capacity, and innovation.
As new initiatives like Ethiopia’s ambition to build Africa’s largest airport emerge, it is clear that the future of air travel is poised to reach even greater heights, reflecting the growing need for connectivity and the evolving expectations of international passengers.
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