Air Cairo, one of Egypt's prominent national airlines supporting inbound tourism, is actively participating in the 4th Istanbul International Tourism Fair ITF 2026. The event, taking place in Istanbul on September 24-25, brings together top specialists and decision-makers from the aviation, tourism, and hospitality sectors worldwide.
On the first day of the fair, Air Cairo's CEO and Chairman of the Board, Hussein Sharif, participated in a session titled "The Egyptian Market – Egypt Market Session." The session, part of the Speaker Corner program, featured a discussion with leading figures in aviation, tourism, and hospitality. They examined the prospects of the Egyptian tourism market and opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Egypt and Turkey.
During the session, Sharif outlined Air Cairo's plan to develop its air network between Egypt and international markets. He emphasized the significance of the Turkish market as a crucial segment for tourism and trade. Sharif also highlighted the importance of enhancing travel options for tourists, travel agents, and tour operators.
Sharif noted a notable improvement in economic relations and travel between Egypt and Turkey. The trade exchange between the two countries reached $7-8 billion in 2025. Moreover, the number of passengers traveling between Egypt and Turkey rose to approximately 650,000 in the same year. This growth reflects the strengthening relations between the two nations and increasing demand for travel and tourism.
This surge in passenger and tourism traffic between Egypt and Turkey directly influences Air Cairo's plans. The airline aims to increase flights from Cairo and operate new routes from Istanbul to popular Egyptian tourist destinations, primarily Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada. Sharif mentioned that Istanbul has become a pivotal hub through Air Cairo's flights, connecting Egypt to numerous global markets and destinations.
Air Cairo is also exploring the possibility of launching new routes to and from Turkey, including Bodrum and Trabzon. This move aligns with evolving travel demand and aims to further boost tourism and trade between the two countries. Additionally, it will provide more options for tourism companies, tour operators, and travelers.
The discussion at the tourism fair highlighted opportunities to develop air traffic between Egypt and Turkey. It also emphasized the role of airlines in supporting integration between air transport services and the tourism and hotel industries. This integration seeks to provide a more flexible travel experience and support growth plans in regional and international markets.
Key points
- Air Cairo's participation in ITF 2026 underscores its role as a national carrier in connecting source markets with Egyptian tourist destinations.
