By Mohamed Attia
Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh El-Hefny witnessed the signing of a five-year contract granting EgyptAir Duty Free the rights to operate and manage the duty-free shops at Terminal 2 of Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport.
The agreement follows a competitive tender organised by the Egyptian Airports Company that attracted several industry contenders.
The contract was formally signed by Wael El-Nashar, Chairman and Executive Managing Director of the Egyptian Airports Company, and Amr Mahmoud Ahmed, Chairman and Executive Managing Director of EgyptAir Duty Free, in the presence of Civil Aviation Authority Head Sameh Fawzy, Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation Chairman Engineer Ayman Arab, and senior aviation officials.
Addressing the strategic value of the partnership, El-Hefny stated that the Ministry of Civil Aviation is executing a comprehensive vision to maximise economic returns from commercial operations across Egyptian airports.
By expanding investment opportunities and empowering national companies, the ministry aims to diversify revenue streams and optimise asset utilisation.
He noted that elevating commercial and passenger services to meet international best practices remains a top priority, particularly at Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport, whose status as a premier global tourist hub requires continuous upgrades to match international traveler expectations.
El-Nashar echoed this commitment, explaining that the agreement aligns with the Egyptian Airports Company’s broader strategy to leverage its infrastructure for optimal financial and operational performance.
He emphasised that as a vital gateway for inbound tourism, Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport must consistently enhance its retail and service offerings in accordance with global quality standards to cater to its diverse, international passenger base.
Amr Mahmoud Ahmed remarked that winning the tender represents the culmination of extensive preparation and marks a major milestone in EgyptAir Duty Free’s domestic expansion. Under the new agreement, the company plans to transform the Terminal 2 retail environment by introducing a diverse product portfolio and superior customer service tailored to international travelers, ultimately driving commercial growth and generating added value for the broader civil aviation sector.
