Addis Abeba — The United States has reaffirmed its support for Ethiopian Airlines' planned Bishoftu International Airport, saying it is exploring ways to help realize the multi-billion-dollar project while working to secure greater participation by American companies, including Boeing and GE Aerospace.
Speaking during a digital press briefing on 29 July following the Africa Logistics and Communications Symposium (ALCS26) held in Addis Abeba, Mark Mitchell, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Middle East and Africa, said meetings with Ethiopian government officials, Ethiopian Airlines executives and private sector representatives reinforced Washington's view that Ethiopia offers expanding commercial opportunities for U.S. investors.
Mitchell described his meeting with Ethiopian Airlines as one of the highlights of his visit.
"We were able to discuss the Bishoftu International Airport project, which is remarkable and very exciting as an undertaking for the company, and indeed the country," he said.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
He added that "across agencies, the U.S. Government is committed to exploring ways to support the realization of this transformative project," noting that the Department of Commerce has been "closely engaged in pushing to secure strong United States participation."
City & Local Guides Mitchell further said the long-standing partnership between Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines "remains a point of pride for the United States and Ethiopia."
"We're excited about what that airport's expansion portends for the airline's growth, meaning more Boeing aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines connecting Africa to the world further," he said.
Discover moreAir TravelLocal NewsMapsGeographic ReferenceCity & Local GuidesBusiness OperationsBusiness NewsFinanceMagazinesHistory The remarks come as Ethiopian Airlines advances plans for the Bishoftu International Airport, a project expected to become Africa's largest aviation hub. Located in Abusera, Bishoftu, about 40 kilometers southeast of Addis Abeba, the airport is designed by Zaha Hadid Architects with four parallel runways and is intended to ease mounting congestion at Addis Abeba Bole International Airport. The first phase is expected to handle 60 million passengers annually, expanding to 110 million passengers and four million tons of cargo upon full completion. Construction officially began after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed laid the foundation stone on 10 January 2026, with completion targeted for 2029.
Air Travel The latest U.S. statement builds on Washington's earlier support for the project. In October 2025, U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos announced that the United States would support the approximately $10 billion airport development, saying the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) was working with Boeing on initiatives involving Ethiopian Airlines and other projects across Africa.
Business Operations The project has also attracted interest from multiple international financiers. In August 2025, the African Development Bank (AfDB) signed an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines to mobilize $8 billion for the airport, describing it as Africa's future largest airport. However, no publicly announced financing agreement has since been finalized.
That uncertainty was reiterated on 29 July 2026, when Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said there remains only an "expression of interest" from prospective lenders and no signed or finalized loan agreement for the airport.
Finance During the airline's annual performance briefing on 29 July, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said the planned Bishoftu International Airport will require approximately $9 billion in syndicated financing, with funding expected from a consortium of international lenders rather than a single institution.
Mesfin said financial institutions from the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle and Far East have expressed interest in financing the project after receiving a feasibility study prepared by Airlines. He noted that prospective lenders are conducting their own due diligence and internal feasibility assessments before determining the terms of any financing, with several institutions already underway in the evaluation process.
Credit & Lending Previous discussions with lenders had yielded expressions of interest totaling up to $8.5 billion, he said, including a commitment by the African Development Bank (AfDB), which is coordinating the financing process, to contribute up to $500 million.
However, Mesfin stressed that no financing agreements have been signed or finalized, emphasizing that the interest shown by lenders remains non-binding until each institution completes its internal appraisal. He added that lenders are expected to make their final financing decisions by March 2027, with the AfDB continuing to coordinate the syndicated loan process.
Interest and controversy
Since it was launched the mega airport project has also drawn controversy. Residents from Abu Lugna, one of the areas affected by the airport development, previously told Addis Standard they had been displaced without receiving compensation or replacement housing.
The Bishoftu City Administration denied the allegations. Communications head Ibrahim Hussein previously told Addis Standard the airport construction process was conducted carefully and that no formal complaints had reached his office.
Business News Shortly after the groundbreaking ceremony in January, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) accused the government of carrying out "forced displacement," alleging thousands of residents were being uprooted and demanding ownership stakes for affected farmers.
In response, Ethiopian Airlines said in February 2026 that it had completed and handed over standard housing to displaced farmers and introduced livelihood support, including employment opportunities. However, some residents in Abu Lugna, one of the affected communities, previously told Addis Standard they had neither received compensation nor adequate resettlement support.
Since then, interest in the project has continued to expand internationally. In May 2026, Bloomberg reported that the influential Syrian-Qatari Al-Khayyat business family, through UCC Holding, was among firms pursuing opportunities related to the airport development.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
The latest comments from the U.S. senior officials also come against the backdrop of a deepening commercial relationship between Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines. In April 2026, Boeing confirmed Ethiopian Airlines' order for six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, finalizing commitments made under a 2023 purchase agreement to support the carrier's long-haul expansion and growing cargo operations.
Geographic Reference Mitchell also highlighted broader areas of cooperation beyond aviation, including artificial intelligence.
Following a visit to Ethiopia's Artificial Intelligence Institute, he said he saw "real opportunity for U.S.-Ethiopia collaboration," adding that the Department of Commerce is leading efforts to promote exports of the American AI technology ecosystem and looks forward to supporting Ethiopia's ambitions in the sector.
Also speaking at the briefing, Brigadier General Paul G. Filcek, Director of Logistics at U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), thanked Ethiopia and its Ministry of Defense for co-hosting the symposium and cited Ethiopian Airlines as an example of how sustained investment in maintenance, repair, workforce development and supply chains helped build Africa's leading airline.
"The story of Ethiopian Airlines is a powerful example. Sustained success could only be assured with significant investments in maintenance, repair, overhaul, depot operations, workforce training and development, and a robust supply chain. That foresight is why Ethiopian Airlines remains the leading carrier on the continent today," Filcek said. AS
Top of Form
Social media news Bottom of Form
