Cairo International Airport has announced a remarkable growth in passenger and flight operations during August and September 2026, with a total of 6,009,356 passengers and 42,531 flights. This represents a substantial increase compared to the same period in 2025, which saw 5,573,418 passengers and 39,001 flights. The growth is a positive indicator of the airport's expanding role as a major hub in the region.
The airport's operational statistics reveal that in August 2026, it served 3,133,767 passengers on 22,053 flights, compared to 2,869,522 passengers on 19,895 flights in August 2025. This represents a growth of 264,245 passengers and 2,158 flights, or 9% and 11% respectively. In September 2026, the airport handled 2,875,589 passengers on 20,478 flights, up from 2,703,896 passengers on 19,106 flights in September 2025.
Dr. Samah El-Hafny, Minister of Civil Aviation, emphasized that the continued growth in passenger and flight numbers reflects the increasing demand for travel and underscores the airport's strategic importance as a major international and regional aviation hub. The Ministry is committed to implementing development plans to enhance the airport's capacity and efficiency.
The Ministry is currently working on a new terminal, Terminal 4, which will have a capacity of 40 million passengers per year. This is part of a broader strategy to increase the airport's overall capacity to 70 million passengers per year, in line with expected growth in passenger numbers and airline operations.
Majdi Ishaq, Chairman of Cairo Airport Company, highlighted the airport's operational readiness to handle the growing numbers of passengers and flights. The company is focused on ensuring smooth travel operations, maintaining high standards of safety and quality, and continuously monitoring performance indicators.
Cairo International Airport has solidified its position as a leading airport in Africa, topping the continent's airports in scheduled seat capacity in September 2026, according to data from OAG. The airport offered 1.79 million seats, representing an 11.2% growth compared to September 2025.
This achievement reflects the airport's growing importance as a major aviation hub in Africa, supporting its role as a central connecting point for flights between Africa, Asia, and Europe. The growth in passenger numbers and flight operations is expected to continue, driving further development and expansion at the airport.
Key points
- Cairo International Airport handled over 6 million passengers and 42,000 flights in August and September 2026.
- The airport is set to increase its capacity to 70 million passengers per year with the development of new terminals and infrastructure.
- Cairo International Airport leads African airports in scheduled seat capacity, with 1.79 million seats in September 2026.
