Pascall+Watson has been appointed as specialist interior design consultant for the Bishoftu International Airport project in Ethiopia, contributing to what will become Africa’s largest aviation infrastructure development.
The practice joins a multidisciplinary consortium led by Dar Al-Handasah (DAR), with Zaha Hadid Architects as concept design architect. Pascall+Watson will deliver all passenger-facing interior design across the terminal building, satellite concourse, and rail station within the ground transport centre.
Construction officially commenced on Saturday, 10 January 2026, at a ceremony in Bishoftu City, marking the beginning of a USD 12.5 billion development. The new airport will serve Ethiopian Airlines with capacity for 60 million passengers annually in its first phase, expanding to 110 million passengers per year.
TRANSLATING VISION INTO EXPERIENCE
Pascall+Watson is developing Zaha Hadid Architects’ architectural concept through coordinated preliminary design to fully detailed, tender-ready documentation. Working through RIBA Stages 3 and 4, the team is creating an operational, passenger-focused interior environment across more than 600,000 square metres of facilities.
The scope covers all passenger journey touchpoints, from landside arrival through airside departure, including check-in halls, security processing areas, departure lounges, gate areas, baggage reclaim and arrivals facilities.
COLLABORATIVE EXCELLENCE
The project demonstrates collaborative design at its finest. Zaha Hadid Architects maintains design guardianship throughout, ensuring the integrity of the original architectural concept, while Pascall+Watson contributes specialist knowledge in airport interior design, operational planning, and the technical coordination required for complex aviation environments.
The consortium, led by DAR, includes Sidara sister companies Landrum & Brown and TYLin, alongside Penspen and Introba, providing master planning, technical advisory, engineering, project management, and construction supervision services.
STRATEGIC LOCATION AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Located approximately 40 kilometres south of Addis Ababa at a lower altitude than the existing Bole International Airport, Bishoftu offers operational advantages for long-haul aircraft. The development includes two parallel runways, extensive cargo facilities, airline and airport support infrastructure, and an integrated Airport City with commercial, hospitality, and community amenities.
The project targets LEED Gold certification, with terminal design incorporating passive environmental strategies, natural ventilation, and solar shading. With up to 80 per cent of passengers expected to transit without leaving the airport, the interior design includes extensive amenities: an airside hotel with 350 guestrooms, diverse dining and entertainment facilities, and outdoor gardens and courtyards for relaxation.
TRANSFORMING REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY
Bishoftu International Airport will connect to central Addis Ababa and the existing Bole Airport via high-speed rail links. Supporting Ethiopian Airlines’ Vision 2035 strategy, the airport will strengthen regional connectivity, drive economic growth, and establish a new benchmark for aviation infrastructure across Africa.
The project is projected to triple passenger numbers to more than 60 million, double the fleet size to 270 aircraft, increase international destinations to over 200, and expand cargo capacity to three million tons annually.
