By Mohamed Attia
In a major milestone for Egypt’s aviation sector, the country has officially been selected to host the World Annual General Assembly (WAGA) of the Airports Council International (ACI World) in Sharm El-Sheikh in 2027 – a move widely seen as a vote of confidence in Egypt’s organisational capabilities and growing prominence in the global aviation industry.
The announcement was made during the 73rd ACI Africa Conference and Exhibition held in Arusha, Tanzania, where the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, led by Eng. Ayman Fawzy Arab, signed the hosting agreement with the international aviation body. The signing ceremony was attended by Justin Erbacci, Director General of ACI World, and Ali Tounsi, Secretary General of ACI Africa, alongside senior aviation executives from both sides.
“This selection is a testament to Egypt’s standing as a regional and global hub for aviation,” said Eng. Ayman Arab, adding that Sharm El-Sheikh offers the ideal infrastructure, geographic location, and organisational expertise to host such a prestigious event.
Hosting WAGA – considered the most significant annual gathering of global airport leaders – is expected to elevate Egypt’s status on the international conference map, attract foreign investment, and promote tourism and economic opportunities in line with the country’s broader development vision.
WAGA brings together representatives from all five ACI regions – North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa – to discuss global airport strategies, Co-operation, and innovation. The event includes high-level forums, technical panels, and an international exhibition showcasing cutting-edge airport and aviation technologies.
Previous WAGA summits were held in Marrakesh (2022), Barcelona (2023), Riyadh (2024), with Toronto slated to host the 2025 edition, underscoring the event’s global scope.
The Egyptian delegation also took part in the ACI Africa Board meeting and the African Airport CEO Panel, where Eng. Arab addressed key issues including operational efficiency, digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation — in the presence of industry leaders and top African airport executives.
