Inspection tours to China and Spain aim to position Egypt as a regional aviation leader
By Mohamed Attia
Cairo International Airport has officially begun the initial phases of its ambitious Terminal 4 development, a strategic project designed to transform Egypt’s largest airport into a regional and global hub for air travel. As part of the early groundwork, Eng. Ayman Fawzy Arab, Chairman and CEO of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, has led a series of international site visits to key airports in China and Spain.
The visits, conducted under the guidance of Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation, are part of a broader initiative to enhance the operational efficiency and global competitiveness of Egyptian airports. They aim to inform the design and operational planning of the new terminal by drawing on cutting-edge global practices and technologies.
During the tour, Arab and a delegation of airport officials visited major cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Xi’an, where they studied the implementation of advanced digital solutions in airport operations—such as big data analytics, real-time resource management, integrated baggage handling, and the use of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in passenger services and security.
In Madrid, Arab participated in Passenger Terminal Expo 2025, the world’s largest airport industry event, which brought together over 10,000 participants from 120 countries, alongside more than 350 exhibiting companies and 450 industry leaders. The conference served as a key platform for exploring the latest innovations in airport design and passenger experience, while also facilitating new partnerships with leading global aviation firms.
“These international visits reflect a clear strategic vision: to develop Terminal 4 as a benchmark of innovation, sustainability, and technological advancement in the region,” said Arab. “The new terminal will incorporate smart infrastructure and flexible capacity models to meet the dynamic demands of the aviation industry.”
The Terminal 4 project is central to Egypt’s broader civil aviation modernization plan. It aims to boost Cairo International Airport’s passenger handling capacity, improve service quality, and attract increased foreign investment. The facility is envisioned as a state-of-the-art terminal that not only meets international standards but also positions Egypt as a premier air transport hub linking Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
By integrating international best practices and the latest airport management technologies, authorities aim to deliver a seamless, smart travel experience that supports Egypt’s growing role in global aviation and tourism.
