The X Marks The Spot: Futuristic Cross-Shaped Airport Emerges In The Desert, Sets Size Record And Promises To Change Global Aviation

Written by Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Published on 03/02/2026 at 13:03

Updated on 03/02/2026 at 13:05

Aeroporto futurista em forma de X na Etiópia terá 660 mil m², capacidade para 110 milhões de passageiros e inauguração prevista para 2030.

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The Futuristic Airport Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Under Construction South of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Will Have 660 Thousand Square Meters, X-Shaped Inspired by the Rift Valley, Construction in Phases and Final Capacity Estimated at Up to 110 Million Passengers Per Year

The futuristic airport Bishoftu International Airport, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and commissioned by the Ethiopian Airlines Group, is under construction south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, covering 660,000 m² with a goal of 110 million passengers per year, redefining African airport infrastructure.

Futuristic Airport in an X Shape Establishes a New Scale Benchmark

With approximately 7 million square feet, the terminal adopts an X-shaped design. The layout prioritizes efficient circulation, reducing internal distances and connecting piers through a central backbone inspired by the nearby Rift Valley in Bishoftu.

Each pier incorporates unique interior materiality and color palettes to reflect different regions of the country.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Sustainability Strategies and Local Materials Guide the Construction

The futuristic airport will use locally sourced materials and sustainability solutions. Natural ventilation, semi-open areas, and outdoor spaces aim for thermal comfort.

The goal is to achieve LEED Gold certification, with prefabricated modules and landscaping featuring drought-resistant native species.

Water Management, Solar Energy, and Phased Construction

Rainwater from runways, roads, and yards will be channeled to wetlands and basins for storage and reuse. Solar panels will generate on-site energy. Implementation will occur in phases, with inauguration scheduled for 2030.

When completed, Bishoftu International Airport will have a capacity of up to 110 million passengers per year and parking for 270 aircraft. The scale of the complex reinforces the strategy for regional air expansion and the country’s logistical integration, enhancing efficiency for transit passengers.

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The X Marks The Spot: Futuristic Cross-Shaped Airport Emerges In The Desert, Sets Size Record And Promises To Change Global Aviation

The Futuristic Airport Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Under Construction South of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Will Have 660 Thousand Square Meters, X-Shaped Inspired by the Rift Valley, Construction in Phases and Final Capacity Estimated at Up to 110 Million Passengers Per Year

Futuristic Airport in an X Shape Establishes a New Scale Benchmark

Sustainability Strategies and Local Materials Guide the Construction

Water Management, Solar Energy, and Phased Construction

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The X Marks The Spot: Futuristic Cross-Shaped Airport Emerges In The Desert, Sets Size Record And Promises To Change Global Aviation

The Futuristic Airport Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Under Construction South of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Will Have 660 Thousand Square Meters, X-Shaped Inspired by the Rift Valley, Construction in Phases and Final Capacity Estimated at Up to 110 Million Passengers Per Year

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