By Mohamed Attia
In a festive evening reminiscent of One Thousand and One Nights, low-cost carrier Air Cairo marked its 25th anniversary with a high-profile celebration attended by Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Dr. Samih El-Hefny, and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy.
During the event, El-Hefny praised the airline’s steady growth and adaptability in a competitive market, describing it as a “national success model” in the low-cost aviation sector. He highlighted Air Cairo’s digital transformation, expansion of flight routes, and its role in bolstering Egypt’s tourism sector and national economy.
“Air Cairo has positioned itself through a clear vision and well-studied expansion strategy. It has connected vital Egyptian destinations with international markets, contributing to the diversification of income sources and reinforcing tourism and aviation as key pillars of sustainable development,” El-Hefny said.
He noted that the company’s achievements were supported by strong political backing and emphasised the importance of continued Co-operation between the aviation and tourism ministries to facilitate travel and boost tourism flows. El-Hefny also underscored the airline’s operational efficiency and adoption of advanced digital systems in booking and operations.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy, who once headed the airline, congratulated the team and recalled longstanding ties with Air Cairo. “Over the past two decades, the airline has charted a distinct path in aviation with a strong record of professionalism and growth,” he said, pointing to its fleet expansion and digital progress as signs of its maturity.
Fathy stressed the airline’s strategic role in the government’s national tourism plan by opening new routes to untapped markets, thus enhancing Egypt’s competitiveness as a tourist destination.
Air Cairo Chairman Captain Ahmed Shennin also took to the stage, revealing that in 2024 alone, the airline transported over five million passengers across 42,000 flights, with a seat occupancy rate of 78.3%. He announced plans to grow the fleet to 40 aircraft by the end of 2025 and expand to new destinations.
“Despite a challenging year, we surpassed our 2024 profit targets by 25% compared to last year,” Shennin said, crediting strong financial management and ongoing investments in digital infrastructure and human capital development. He acknowledged the critical support of the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Tourism and strategic partnerships with travel agencies.
The evening featured a documentary chronicling the airline’s evolution since launching its first flight in 2003, showcasing its transformation into one of the region’s leading low-cost carriers.
Top-performing travel agents and several Air Cairo department heads were also honoured during the ceremony in recognition of their contributions to the airline’s success.
The event concluded with renewed calls to continue supporting national companies like Air Cairo, viewed as engines of economic growth and sustainable development.
The celebration drew key figures from the civil aviation sector, tourism professionals, and industry experts, who hailed Air Cairo’s achievements as a milestone for Egypt’s aviation industry.
