By Mohamed Attia
Egyptian airports continued to record positive growth in air traffic from January through September 2026, reflecting the resilience of Egypt’s civil aviation sector and its ability to maintain stable operations and sustain growth despite ongoing regional challenges. This growth was supported by increasing demand for Egyptian tourist destinations and continued arrivals from various international markets.
The total number of passengers at Egyptian airports reached approximately 20,846,939 by the end of September 2026, representing a 3 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Hurghada International Airport handled around 8,764,968 passengers, recording 6 per cent growth, while Sharm El Sheikh International Airport received approximately 6,779,989 passengers, an increase of 4 per cent. Luxor International Airport handled around 1,049,881 passengers, recording 8 per cent growth compared to the previous year.
Abu Simbel International Airport recorded a particularly strong increase in passenger traffic, handling approximately 105,057 passengers, up 51 per cent compared to 2025. Alamein International Airport also continued to record notable growth, handling around 193,517 passengers, an increase of more than 30 per cent, further strengthening its role as an important air gateway serving Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
Chairman and CEO of the Egyptian Airports Company, Wael El-Nashar, said that the continued positive growth in passenger traffic reflects the increasing appeal of Egyptian destinations and the diversity of tourism experiences they offer. He added that it also demonstrates the ability of Egyptian airports to maintain stable operations and adapt to regional and international developments.
He noted that the Egyptian Airports Company continues to work on airport development and improving the level of services provided to passengers in line with current and expected growth in air travel. These efforts include ongoing coordination with the relevant authorities to ensure smooth operations and enhance the airports’ capacity to accommodate the expected increase in air traffic and tourist arrivals to Egypt.
