By Mohamed Attia
The Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation is set to commemorate the 96th anniversary of National Civil Aviation Day this Monday, January 26, marking nearly a century of aerial heritage. This historic date serves as a tribute to the pioneering spirit of Egyptian pilot Mohamed Sedky, affectionately known as “The Egyptian Eagle.”
In 1930, Sedky captivated the global aviation community by completing a daring solo journey from Berlin to Cairo in his private aircraft, the Princess Faiza.
This feat was particularly remarkable given the aircraft’s modest technical specifications – a single-seat, 40-horsepower engine weighing only 250 kilogrammes – making it the smallest craft of its era to successfully navigate the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea.
The historic arrival of the Princess Faiza on January 25, 1930, in Alexandria, followed by its triumphant landing at Heliopolis Airport in Cairo the next day, ignited a national passion for flight. Received by a prestigious delegation including the Minister of Transportation, Mahmoud Fahmy El-Nokrashy, and the visionary economist Mohamed Talaat Harb, Sedky’s journey became the catalyst for a formal aviation infrastructure.
This momentum led to the rapid development of Almaza Airport and inspired subsequent pioneers like Kamal Alawi to champion the establishment of a national carrier.
Today, January 26 stands not just as a date on the calendar, but as the foundational moment of Egypt’s civil aviation identity.
Entering 2026, the sector is experiencing an unprecedented Renaissance under the leadership of Minister of Aviation Sameh El-Hefny.
Recent operational data reveals a transformative leap in performance across the nation’s gateways.
Under the strategic oversight of Eng Ayman Fawzy Arab and Pilot Wael El-Nashar, Egyptian airports have achieved record-breaking metrics.
In 2025, regional airports saw passenger volumes surge to 28 million, a staggering 22.3% increase from the 22.9 million recorded in 2024.
Flight movements mirrored this upward trajectory, rising by 20.7% to nearly 210,000 annual flights, signaling a robust recovery and an enhanced capacity for international tourism and trade.
Cairo International Airport, the nation’s primary hub, continues to reinforce its status as a premier African gateway under the direction of Accountant Magdy Ishaq. The airport surpassed the 30-million passenger milestone in 2025, reflecting a 6.8% growth rate compared to the previous year.
This surge was supported by a 4.8% increase in flight frequency, totaling over 224,000 movements.
These figures underscore the efficiency of Egypt’s current operational planning and its ability to maintain sustainable growth despite the complexities of the global aviation landscape.
Simultaneously, the national carrier, EgyptAir, is undergoing a bold modernisation phase led by Captain Ahmed Adel.
The airline is currently executing an ambitious fleet expansion plan that includes the acquisition of 34 aircraft designed for maximum fuel efficiency and technological integration.
This fleet renewal is paired with an aggressive expansion of global destinations, positioning EgyptAir as a dominant force in regional travel.
These efforts have already garnered international acclaim; in 2025, EgyptAir was named “Best Airline in Africa for Passenger Services” and climbed 20 spots to rank 68th in the prestigious Skytrax World’s Top 100 Airlines, cementing its reputation as a world-class service provider.
