By Mohamed Attia
Egypt’s national carrier, EgyptAir, has faced challenges unparalleled by any airline worldwide but remains committed to its national role, Civil Aviation Minister Sameh el-Hefny said.
Speaking at an event marking the 95th anniversary of Egyptian civil aviation, Hefny highlighted the airline’s resilience in navigating economic and geopolitical crises, from the aftermath of the 2011 and 2013 uprisings to the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing global supply chain disruptions.
“EgyptAir has never faltered in fulfilling its national duty,” he said, citing the airline’s efforts in repatriating Egyptians from crisis zones and transporting humanitarian aid.
Supply chain crisis delays aircraft deliveries
One of the major challenges facing EgyptAir is the ongoing global supply chain crisis, which has caused delays in the delivery of new aircraft. Hefny explained that the airline had planned to expand its fleet significantly by 2029, but disruptions in the supply of aircraft engines and parts have slowed progress.
“More than ten aircraft were due for delivery this year, but supply chain disruptions forced us to revise our plans. We now expect to receive only one aircraft in 2025,” he said.
The minister acknowledged that these delays have contributed to flight schedule disruptions, but said the airline is working on improving customer service and loyalty programmes to mitigate the impact on passengers.
Air Cairo’s success and aviation sector growth
Despite the challenges, Hefny pointed to the success of Air Cairo, a subsidiary of EgyptAir, as a testament to the resilience of the country’s aviation sector. The airline has expanded its fleet from six aircraft to 40, capitalsing on growing demand for low-cost travel.
Egypt’s air traffic controllers have also been recognised for their performance, particularly in managing record-high air traffic volumes.
The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation has praised Egypt’s air traffic control services for ensuring the smooth flow of flights to and from Europe.
Private sector role in airport management
The Egyptian government is moving towards greater private sector involvement in airport management as part of broader economic reforms. Minister Hefny announced that by mid-February, Egypt would sign an agreement with an international financial institution to develop a strategy for offering airport management contracts to private investors.
“This is part of the government’s policy to attract investment and enhance infrastructure efficiency,” he said, adding that decisions on whether airports would be offered collectively or individually would be based on expert recommendations.
Expansion plans for Cairo airport
Plans are also underway to expand Cairo International Airport, with the construction of a new terminal – Terminal 4 – to increase its capacity to 30 million passengers annually, with the potential to expand further to 40 million.
The minister expressed optimism about the future of Egypt’s aviation sector, citing strong financial performance across the industry and continued investment in infrastructure and workforce development.
“The aviation sector is recovering well, with positive financial results across our companies,” he said. “We are committed to elevating Egypt’s aviation industry to its rightful place on the global stage.”
