East Africa builds airports as national airlines bleed
Construction machinery at the $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport site in Abusera as Ethiopia begins building the new facility on January 10, 2026. Analysts say only the Bishoftu airport — which is set to become Africa’s largest — appears economically justified, given the financial strength of Ethiopian Airlines.
Business and Technology Reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
Nation Media Group
Kenya’s decision to cancel a $1.8 billion deal awarded to the Adani Group for the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has not dampened eastern Africa’s appetite for ambitious aviation infrastructure.
Across the region, governments are pressing ahead with multi-billion-dollar airport projects even as national carriers struggle with mounting losses and grounded fleets.
