By Mohamed Attia
The Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation (ECA) has been honored with the 2026 Digital Innovation & Community Engagement Award for its “Ask Mariam” smart assistant.
Announced by ACI Africa at their 75th annual conference in Luanda, Angola, the award recognises the project’s success in utilising technology to improve the traveller experience. The win aligns with the broader “Stronger Airports, Stronger Africa” initiative, which emphasises the role of modern infrastructure in driving economic growth across the continent.
Chairman of the ECA Ayman Arab highlighted that this achievement reflects the company’s dedicated shift toward a digital-first strategy.
By moving toward paperless offices and implementing high-tech solutions at terminal gates, the company is supporting the Egyptian government’s goals for digital transformation and sustainable development.
These steps are designed not only to modernise administrative work but also to significantly reduce energy consumption and improve overall service reliability.
As a central part of this digital success story, the “Ask Mariam” service acts as a 24/7 personal guide for passengers at Cairo International Airport.
By using artificial intelligence to provide instant information on flights and airport facilities, the tool has streamlined the journey for millions of travellers.
Arab noted his pride in seeing an Egyptian-developed innovation receive international acclaim, marking it as a leading example of how technology can be used effectively in the aviation sector.
This recognition underscores the ECA’s commitment to providing a world-class experience at Egyptian airports through continuous innovation and engagement with the traveling community.
