Pascall+Watson has been appointed as specialist interior design Architects for Bishoftu International Airport, contributing to what will become Africa’s largest aviation infrastructure development. Working as part of a multidisciplinary consortium led by Dar Al-Handasah (DAR), with Zaha Hadid Architects as concept design architect, we are responsible for delivering all passenger-facing interior design across the terminal building, satellite concourse, and rail station within the ground transport centre. 

The USD 12.5 billion development will serve Ethiopian Airlines with capacity for 60 million passengers annually in its first phase, expanding to an ultimate capacity of 110 million passengers per year. Our scope encompasses more than 600,000 square metres of passenger facilities, covering the complete journey from landside arrival through airside departure, including check-in halls, security processing areas, departure lounges, gate areas, baggage reclaim, arrivals facilities, and the integrated rail station. 

Pascall+Watson is taking Zaha Hadid Architects’ architectural concept through coordinated preliminary design to fully detailed, tender-ready documentation. Working through RIBA Stages 3 and 4, we are translating the conceptual vision into an operational, passenger-focused interior environment. Our specialist expertise in airport interior design, operational planning, and technical coordination ensures the delivery of a complex aviation environment that balances aesthetic ambition with functional performance. 

With up to 80 per cent of passengers anticipated to be transferring between destinations, our interior design incorporates extensive amenities to enhance the transit experience. These include an airside hotel with 350 guestrooms, diverse dining and entertainment facilities, and outdoor gardens and courtyards designed for relaxation within the terminal environment. 

Located approximately 40 kilometres south of Addis Ababa, the project targets LEED Gold certification. The interior design responds to the terminal’s passive environmental strategies, natural ventilation, and solar shading, creating comfortable, sustainable spaces that reduce environmental impact while supporting Ethiopian Airlines’ Vision 2035 strategy and establishing a new benchmark for aviation infrastructure across the African continent.