New flight routes connecting Hurghada, Sphinx airports to European cities

By Mohamed Attia

In a significant move to bolster Egypt’s tourism sector, Dr. Samah Hefni, Minister of Civil Aviation, has initiated the launch of new flight routes from Hurghada and Sphinx International Airports to several European cities. This effort is part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing the role of Egyptian airports in supporting tourism development and achieving targeted tourism movement goals by 2028.

Engineer Ayman Fawzy Arab, Chairman of the Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, reported an increase in air traffic at tourist airports as the winter season commences. Notably, several international airlines are beginning operations at Egyptian airports for the first time, reflecting a renewed interest in Egypt as a travel destination.

Arab emphasized ongoing directives from Dr. Hefni to improve operational efficiency, enhance passenger services, and maintain rigorous security and safety protocols. He underscored the importance of presenting Egyptian airports in a welcoming manner to international travelers, in line with the Ministry’s plans for airport capacity expansion.

Captain Ahmed Mansour, Chairman of the Egyptian Airports Company, announced that both Hurghada and Sphinx International Airports have recently welcomed inaugural flights from new airlines connecting them to various European destinations. Hurghada International Airport celebrated its first direct flight from Norwegian Air, which arrived from Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, carrying 160 passengers. The airline also plans to introduce flights from Gothenburg, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Helsinki in the near future. Meanwhile, Sphinx International Airport received its inaugural flight from Wizz Air, arriving from Cyprus with 168 passengers on board.

At Hurghada Airport, the arrival was marked by a traditional water salute, with Deputy Airport Director Captain Ayman Salah and the public relations team, along with representatives from New Star, the exclusive agent for Norwegian Air, facilitating a smooth arrival process for passengers. At Sphinx Airport, the Ambassador of Cyprus to Cairo welcomed the Wizz Air flight, celebrating the occasion with flags and chocolates for the arriving guests. She expressed her pleasure at the warm reception and praised the organization, highlighting the event as a milestone in expanding the flight network at Sphinx Airport and strengthening Egypt-Cyprus relations.

These developments represent a promising expansion of Egypt’s aviation network, aimed at enriching travel experiences and fostering greater international connections.