Major overhaul underway at Egyptian airports
By Mohamed Attia
Egypt’s airports are undergoing a major transformation as part of a national strategy to enhance their operational efficiency, increase capacity, and improve passenger experience, in line with global standards.
Under the direction of Civil Aviation Minister Samih El Hefny and led by Aiman Arab, Chairman of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, the ambitious plan aims to accommodate 100 million passengers annually by 2030, up from 66.2 million in the past financial year.
The initiative also includes a push for greater private sector involvement in airport management, with recent talks between the minister and global airport operators highlighting Egypt’s efforts to attract strategic partnerships.
Cairo airport to become regional aviation hub
As part of the overhaul, Cairo International Airport is set to strengthen its position as a key long-haul travel hub in Africa. Passenger capacity is expected to rise to 72.2 million in the current financial year (2024/2025), with further expansion planned.
A major component of this growth is the construction of Terminal 4, which will boost Cairo Airport’s capacity to 30 million passengers annually, with potential for an extra 10 million. The terminal will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including renewable energy solutions, and is expected to be completed within four to five years.
The Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation is also working to modernise airport management by adopting dynamic operational models to improve the travel experience, expanding digital transformation initiatives, and positioning Egypt as a centre of excellence in the aviation industry. One key step in this direction is the enhancement of the International Airports Council’s regional office in Cairo, which will play a bigger role in developing airport services across East, Central, and Southern Africa.
Regional airports to drive tourism, connectivity
The drive to boost airport capacity extends beyond Cairo, with a significant focus on regional airports to support Egypt’s growing tourism industry and improve domestic and regional connectivity.
Led by Wael El Nashar, Chairman of the Egyptian Airports Company, the plan includes increasing capacity at Hurghada airport from 13 million to 20 million passengers with the construction of Terminal 3, expanding capacity at El-Alamein airport to 1.5 million passengers, making it a major gateway for tourism in the Mediterranean and North Coast region.
Plans also include expanding Sharm el-Sheikh airport’s capacity to accommodate 10 million passengers, reinforcing the city’s status as a global hub for leisure tourism and international conferences.
The large-scale investment in Egypt’s aviation sector reflects a commitment to sustainable development, enhancing airport infrastructure to meet global standards while reinforcing Egypt’s position as a key aviation and tourism hub in the region.
