Air Cairo expands domestic routes to boost tourism

By Mohamed Attia

Air Cairo, the economic arm of Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, has announced a new regular flight route connecting Cairo, Aswan, and Abu Simbel. This move aligns with the ministry’s broader efforts to stimulate tourism by linking key tourist destinations across the country.

Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny emphasised that the ministry remains committed to supporting Egypt’s national tourism strategy, aiming to attract 30 million tourists by 2028. According to El-Hefny, Air Cairo seeks to maximise its fleet’s potential by expanding its domestic and international routes, meeting travellers’ needs, and contributing to economic development.

El-Hefny highlighted that Air Cairo operates under an integrated strategy in close coordination with EgyptAir to support sustainable development goals. This collaboration aims to increase flight frequencies, open new markets based on supply and demand, and strengthen Egypt’s standing as a global tourist destination.

Air Cairo Chairman, Captain Ahmed Shennin, expressed enthusiasm about expanding the airline’s domestic network, noting that the company has intensified its domestic routes to align with customer needs and encourage tourism from Arab and European markets. Shennin pointed to Air Cairo’s ongoing efforts to provide convenient travel options linking Egypt’s coastal and cultural attractions.

Currently, Air Cairo operates 28 weekly flights each between Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh, and Hurghada to meet rising demand. The airline also runs two weekly flights connecting Sharm El Sheikh with both Hurghada and Luxor, as well as four weekly flights between Alexandria, Sharm El Sheikh, and Hurghada. This strategy aims to enhance connections between major tourist cities, offering flexible travel options for visitors.

The new Cairo-Aswan-Abu Simbel route’s inaugural flight recently departed from Cairo International Airport, carrying over 70 tourists from various nationalities. The flight was welcomed at Aswan International Airport by Deputy Governor Amr Lashin, Airport Director General Ahmed Baz, and Captain Ahmed Shennin, along with Air Cairo’s commercial and domestic operations teams.

As part of EgyptAir’s ongoing collaboration with Air Cairo to streamline operations and maximise benefits for passengers, the two airlines have increased available destinations through a codeshare agreement.

Yehia Zakaria, Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, stated that the expanded partnership aims to offer seamless travel experiences and broaden the network reach, supporting both tourism and air travel sectors in Egypt. Zakaria highlighted that the expansion responds to customer demand for greater flexibility, now providing passengers with smoother travel options and access to a wide range of global destinations.