By Mohamed Attia
Cairo International Airport celebrates its 61st anniversary since its official opening on May 18, 1963. The festivities come shortly after Egypt’s Civil Aviation Authority, led by pilot Amr El-Sharqawy, renewed the airport’s license to operate as an international airport for another three years, extending to 2026. This renewal complies with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Mohamed Saeed Mahrous, Chairman of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, congratulated the staff at Cairo International Airport, under the leadership of Magdy Ishaq, on the renewal. He highlighted the continuous efforts to develop the airport, positioning it among the world’s leading international airports.
This year’s celebration coincides with international commendation from the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) for the Egyptian civil aviation sector. Amid regional airspace closures due to political turmoil, Egypt’s airspace has managed an unprecedented volume of air traffic, with Cairo International Airport handling approximately 94,000 passengers on April 13, 2023 – a record high.
Historical Overview
Cairo International Airport’s origins trace back to World War II when the American Air Force, in co-operation with the British Army, established a military airfield named “Payne Field” near Almaza Airport. Following the war, control of the airport, along with other Egyptian airports, transitioned to Egyptian authorities.
On March 18, 1963, President Gamal Abdel Nasser inaugurated Terminal 1, with its official opening occurring on May 18, 1963.
Development Milestones
During the 1980s, Cairo International Airport saw significant expansion. Terminal 3 was opened in 1980, increasing passenger capacity to over 5 million annually. By 1986, Terminal 2 was inaugurated, further boosting capacity. The airport handled approximately 9 million passengers in 2000, marking a 22.3% increase from 1980.
In 2004, the contract for the construction of Terminal 3 was signed, reflecting the urgent need to expand the airport’s capacity. By 2005, passenger numbers had surged to 10 million. In 2010, a new control tower was opened, capable of managing 120 flights per hour, alongside a new runway to accommodate large aircraft.
Recent Enhancements
The airport continued to evolve with the opening of the Seasonal Flights Terminal in 2011, designed to handle the surge during Hajj and Umrah seasons. In 2012, a multi-storey car park with a capacity of 3,700 vehicles was inaugurated, along with an automated people mover system linking all terminals.
In 2016, the runway 05L was upgraded to handle various aircraft types, and Terminal 2 was reopened after extensive renovations, increasing the airport’s total capacity to over 30 million passengers annually.
Despite the global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, Cairo International Airport maintained stringent health measures, earning the AHA health accreditation for safe travel from the Airports Council International (ACI).
Accolades and Achievements
In 2006, Cairo International Airport was named the best airport in Africa after handling 10.778 million passengers. It has won the International Air Cargo Excellence Award for “Best in Africa” for three consecutive years (2014-2016) and was recognised as the top African airport for aviation safety in 2017. Additionally, the airport has repeatedly received the ACI’s annual award for best airport in air cargo.
Cairo International Airport recently secured its health accreditation for safe travel for the third consecutive term, valid until 2026, further solidifying its position as a leading airport on the continent.
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