By Mohamed Attia
Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh el-Hefny met with the British Ambassador to Cairo, Mark Bryson Richardson, to discuss a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing bilateral co-operation in the air transport sector.
During the meeting, the minister underscored Egypt’s commitment to modernising its national aviation infrastructure to align with the state’s broader tourism development goals. Central to this strategy is the expansion of the air route network between the two nations, with specific discussions held regarding the addition of new destinations, such as Birmingham, to increase operational capacity and connectivity.
A key pillar of the Ministry’s future vision involves maximising the role of the private sector in airport management and operations.
El-Hefny emphasised that while Egypt is keen to leverage private sector expertise to boost efficiency and improve the passenger experience, the state remains dedicated to preserving full national sovereignty and asset ownership.
This collaborative model is intended to drive innovation across Egyptian airports while maintaining strategic control over national infrastructure.
The meeting also focused on updating the Air Services Agreement to provide greater operational flexibility and regulate air traffic rights in a way that supports future growth.
This comes alongside significant updates to EgyptAir’s fleet, highlighted by the recent delivery of the first Airbus A350−900.
The minister confirmed that the fleet modernisation plan is well underway, with the remaining 15 aircraft of the same model expected to be integrated by the 2030/2031 period.
Ambassador Richardson praised the ongoing security enhancements and recent developments within the Egyptian civil aviation sector. He expressed the United Kingdom’s strong desire for British companies to participate in the development of Egyptian airports, signaling a commitment to sharing expertise and deepening technical co-operation. This meeting serves as a follow-up to previous diplomatic visits, reinforcing the serious steps both nations are taking to build a robust, mutually beneficial aviation partnership.
