Bishoftu, Ethiopia, 11 January (H.S.): Ethiopia launched construction on Saturday of what Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described as the continent's most ambitious aviation infrastructure project to date, poised to redefine Africa's air travel landscape. Situated in Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, the mega-hub airport will span 35 square kilometers and accommodate up to 110 million passengers annually upon completion in five years, dwarfing the current capacity of the capital's Bole International Airport at 25 million.

The $12.7 billion endeavor, partially funded by national flagship carrier Ethiopian Airlines, incorporates cutting-edge connectivity features, including a multi-lane motorway and a 38-kilometer high-speed rail line capable of reaching 200 kilometers per hour.

Abiy Ahmed heralded the initiative on X as a multi-airport strategy designed to fortify Ethiopia's stature as Africa's premier air gateway, bolstering Ethiopian Airlines' global edge while fostering trade, tourism, and intercontinental links.

International financing bolsters the project, with $500 million already pledged by the African Development Bank and negotiations underway with the Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank, and U.S. Development Finance Corporation.

Despite ongoing conflicts in the Amhara and Oromia regions—including Bishoftu in the latter—authorities remain committed to luring foreign visitors through enhanced infrastructure.

The development has not been without controversy, as it entailed the relocation of 2,500 farmers last year at a cost of $350 million, as noted by Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew Bekele. This aligns with Ethiopia's broader infrastructure renaissance, encompassing the recent commissioning of Africa's grandest dam and sweeping urban revitalizations in Addis Ababa and beyond.

As Africa's second-most populous nation with 130 million residents, Ethiopia positions this airport as a cornerstone of economic resurgence, though skeptics question its viability amid regional instability. Completion promises to elevate the country into a pivotal node in global aviation networks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar