By Mohamed Attia
Egypt is moving forward with plans to build Terminal 4 at Cairo International Airport, a major project designed to strengthen the country’s position as a main travel and business hub connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Managed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the project will be self-financed by the state holding company at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion, which may be adjusted over its four-year construction period.
The new terminal will handle 40 million passengers each year, nearly doubling the airport’s capacity and bringing its total capacity to roughly 70 million passengers annually to support long-term economic growth and Egypt Vision 2030.
The project’s progress was recently reviewed during a high-level government meeting in New Alamein City, chaired by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli.
The meeting was attended by Civil Aviation Minister Sameh el-Hefny, Presidential Advisor for Financial Affairs Lieutenant General Ahmed el-Shazly, Cairo Airport Company Board Chairman Magdy Ishaq, representatives from the consulting firm Dar Al-Handasah, and other relevant government officials.
During the discussion, Madbouli stressed that constructing Terminal 4 is essential for Egypt’s ongoing modernisation efforts.
He noted that continuously investing in airport infrastructure helps the nation keep up with rising global travel demand, attract international airlines, and boost local trade, investment, and tourism.
El-Hefny explained that Terminal 4 will rely on modern global design standards, artificial intelligence, and digital tools to streamline operations and reduce wait times.
Once construction is completed, a broader master plan will take effect to give the entire airport a unified visual identity.
This includes expanding and updating Terminals 2 and 3 to resolve current operational challenges and improve the overall travel experience for all visitors.
This major expansion follows a long list of digital and physical upgrades already completed at Cairo International Airport.
Recent improvements include replacing paper passport cards for Egyptian citizens with a digital system, launching the “Ask Mariam” virtual assistant, updating the website and mobile app, and adding self-service check-in kiosks and automated baggage drop-offs.
The airport has also implemented smart parking, e-limousine services, electronic gate access, upgraded baggage handling systems, and modernised security and cargo screening tools.
