By Mohamed Attia
The Egyptian civil aviation sector has concluded an exceptional year of performance in 2025, marked by unprecedented passenger traffic, prestigious international accolades, and a transformative shift toward global management standards.
Under the strategic vision of Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh El-Hefny the industry has demonstrated a robust capacity for expansion, reinforcing Egypt’s position as a premier global aviation hub.
This progress was driven by the collaborative efforts of the Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, led by Engineer Ayman Fawzy Arab, and the Egyptian Airports Company, under the leadership of Pilot Wael El-Nashar, resulting in a qualitative leap in operational regularity and service efficiency compared to the previous year.
Unprecedented growth in passenger traffic
The year 2025 witnessed a significant surge in air traffic statistics, reflecting the strength of the Egyptian tourism and travel market. Cairo International Airport, managed by Accountant Magdy Ishaq, broke historical records by welcoming a total of 30,944,269 passengers, representing a 6.8% increase over 2024.
This growth was supported by a 4.8% rise in flight movements, totaling 224,303 flights. Simultaneously, regional airports across the country reported a massive growth spurt, with total passenger numbers reaching 28 million, a remarkable 22.3% increase from the 22.9 million recorded the prior year. These airports successfully handled approximately 209,800 flights, marking a 20.7% growth rate and demonstrating the high operational performance of the entire civil aviation system.
ACI leadership
Egypt’s influence within the international aviation community reached a historic pinnacle during the 74th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Board of Directors meeting in Lusaka, Zambia.
In a first for the nation, Engineer Ayman Arab was selected to serve as an advisor to the ACI World Governing Board, the highest global decision-making authority for airport policies and strategies. Furthermore, Egyptian airports dominated the ACI Africa General Assembly awards under the theme “Empowering African Airports for Strategic Growth.” Cairo International Airport was honoured with the Large Hub Leadership in Sustainability award, while Hurghada International Airport secured the Zero Waste to Landfill award, and Borg El Arab International Airport in Alexandria received the Circular Waste Diversion award, highlighting a national commitment to environmental excellence.
Strategic agreements
A landmark achievement of 2025 was the formal agreement signed between the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation and ACI World to host the 2027 ACI World Annual General Meeting (WAGA) in Sharm El Sheikh. This agreement, witnessed by ACI World Director General Justin Irabacci, serves as a testament to international confidence in Egypt’s organisational prowess.
This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s vision to position Egypt at the forefront of global aviation events, facilitating the exchange of international expertise and advancing the sector toward the highest global standards.
Modernisation, private sector partnerships
The year was also defined by significant infrastructure modernisation and the commencement of procedural steps to integrate private sector expertise into airport management.
Sameh El-Hefny inaugurated the comprehensive development of the Main Operations Center at the Egyptian Airports Company, which utilises advanced monitoring mechanisms to ensure seamless management.
Additionally, Cairo Airport gained global recognition for its integration of artificial intelligence through the “Ask Maryam” service, ranking first worldwide in AI implementation for passenger assistance.
In a strategic move toward the state’s 2030 goal of attracting 30 million tourists, the Ministry officially opened applications for specialised global alliances to qualify for the management, operation, and development of Hurghada International Airport, a program supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Resilience in crisis management and global diplomacy
Beyond technical and economic milestones, 2025 showcased the exceptional readiness of Egyptian personnel and infrastructure during high-stakes events. Sharm El Sheikh International Airport successfully hosted the International Peace Summit, receiving delegations from over 31 countries and various regional organisations with flawless logistical execution. Central to this success were the air traffic controllers, hailed as “extraordinary heroes” for their proven efficiency in crisis management and their ability to maintain operational safety amidst record-breaking traffic. These collective achievements underscore a new era for Egyptian aviation, characterised by sustainability, digital transformation, and global competitiveness.
Artificial intelligence
The Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation has launched the first interactive virtual assistant powered by artificial intelligence inside Egyptian airports under the name “Ask Maryam”, in co-operation with Orange Egypt.
Through modern smart interactive devices (SID) distributed throughout the airport, passengers and visitors can obtain instant answers to any inquiries related to flight schedules, travel and arrival procedures, locations of facilities and services inside the airport, as well as information about transportation, taxis and limousines, directions, nearby tourist areas, and even flight timings—ensuring a smoother and more comfortable travel experience.
Cairo International Airport is the first airport in the world to successfully implement this service, followed by Sphinx Airport. The “Maryam” service is distinguished by its ability to interact in both Arabic and English, serving as a smart digital companion that facilitates the travel experience inside the airport.
This new service comes as part of an integrated digital ecosystem being developed by the Holding Company for Airports, aimed at launching a new generation of smart solutions that redefine the travel experience and support the Egyptian state’s plan for digital transformation in the civil aviation sector.
Cairo International Airport
Cairo Airport Company held an extensive meeting at its headquarters chaired by Accountant Magdy Ishaq Azer, Chairman of the Board, with the participation of Pilot Karim Gamal, Advisor to the Head of the Civil Aviation Authority, and in co-operation with the Ministry of Environment, to discuss the implementation of a comprehensive development project for the firefighting system.
The project aims to upgrade firefighting materials, equipment, and mechanisms at Cairo International Airport.
The project relies on the use of environmentally friendly, completely fluorine-free firefighting materials, in accordance with the latest global standards applied at major international airports. It will be implemented within a joint action plan between the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in co-operation with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The operational plan includes using 100% fluorine-free firefighting materials, applying safe disposal standards in line with international standards and Egyptian law, in addition to advanced training for firefighting teams and conducting field operational tests to ensure maximum readiness before official operation.
Cairo Airport Company also announced the launch of a new medical service at Cairo International Airport through the installation and operation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), in co-operation with the Ministry of Health and Population, reflecting the airport’s commitment to applying the highest global safety standards and safeguarding passengers’ lives.
Egyptian–American memorandum of understanding
Minister of Civil Aviation, Sameh El-Hefny, witnessed at the Ministry’s headquarters the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the American side, which includes a US grant to the aviation sector through supplying Cairo International Airport with advanced security screening equipment and implementing specialised training programmes for staff in aviation security fields.
This co-operation comes as a continuation of the long-term partnership between Egypt and the United States in the field of civil aviation and reflects the strong strategic relations between the two countries.
Field visits
Eng. Ayman Fawzy Arab, Chairman of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, conducted several field visits to a number of leading international airports worldwide, in light of the directives of Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh El-Hefny. The visits aimed at enhancing the regional and international standing of Egyptian airports, improving their operational efficiency, and preparing for the launch of the project to construct Passenger Terminal No. (4) at Cairo International Airport.
Terminal 4 at Cairo International Airport is considered one of the most important projects the Ministry of Civil Aviation seeks to implement in the coming years.
The project keeps pace with technological developments in airport operations and aims to establish a passenger terminal with a capacity of no less than 30 million passengers annually, raising Cairo International Airport’s total capacity to 60 million passengers per year, while fully adhering to safety, security, and environmental sustainability principles.
The project also includes the construction of a new runway equipped with the latest navigation and ground lighting systems, extensive parking areas fully covered with solar panels, integrated connectivity with a modern road network featuring smooth and fast access points, as well as support and operational buildings designed according to international standard specifications.
The new terminal will also rely on the latest smart technologies.
Passenger Terminal (4) is one of the strategic expansion projects at Cairo International Airport and is being planned and designed in accordance with the latest smart airport operation standards.
The project will rely on advanced systems covering air navigation, ground operations, building management, and infrastructure, aiming to achieve high operational efficiency.
Air Traffic Control heroes
Air traffic controllers have once again demonstrated their exceptional professionalism and unwavering commitment to aviation safety throughout 2025. Their outstanding performance was particularly evident during a critical period marked by the closure of airspace in neighbouring countries due to regional political developments, which resulted in a significant increase in diverted flights into Egyptian airspace.
Despite the unprecedented operational demands, Egypt’s air traffic control teams rose to the challenge with remarkable efficiency and precision. Under the leadership of Captain Ehab Mohie, Chairman of the National Air Navigation Services Company, controllers successfully managed an extraordinary traffic flow exceeding 1,500 aircraft per day, ensuring the highest standards of safety, coordination, and service continuity.
This achievement reflects the expertise, resilience, and dedication of Egypt’s air traffic controllers, whose efforts played a vital role in maintaining the smooth and secure movement of international air traffic during a time of heightened complexity.
