Hey everyone, just read that Ethiopian Airlines is pushing back the contractor selection for the Bishoftu International Airport to early 2027. Originally, they were supposed to pick contractors by August 2026, but it seems the bidders need more time to get their proposals and financing sorted. I guess it's not too surprising given how massive this project is - $12.5 billion is no small chunk of change!
Mesfin Tasew, the CEO, mentioned this at their annual performance briefing in Addis Ababa. Makes sense that they'd want to give the contractors more time to ensure everything's in place. Better to do it right than rush it, I think.
I'm curious how this delay might impact the overall timeline of the airport's construction. Will it push back the opening date too? And how do you guys think this new airport will affect Ethiopian Airlines' growth? They're already one of the biggest players in Africa, so I wonder if this will give them an even bigger edge.
Anyway, what do you all think? Is this delay a smart move, or could it cause more headaches down the road?
Mesfin Tasew, the CEO, mentioned this at their annual performance briefing in Addis Ababa. Makes sense that they'd want to give the contractors more time to ensure everything's in place. Better to do it right than rush it, I think.
I'm curious how this delay might impact the overall timeline of the airport's construction. Will it push back the opening date too? And how do you guys think this new airport will affect Ethiopian Airlines' growth? They're already one of the biggest players in Africa, so I wonder if this will give them an even bigger edge.
Anyway, what do you all think? Is this delay a smart move, or could it cause more headaches down the road?