Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Samah El-Hafnawy recently met with aviation journalists to discuss the sector's recent achievements and future plans. He highlighted the country's national carrier, EgyptAir, which has been ranked as the most improved airline globally by Skytrax in 2026. The airline has moved up to 46th place globally and entered the top 50 airlines worldwide. El-Hafnawy expressed his pride in this achievement, which he attributed to the hard work and dedication of the sector's employees.
El-Hafnawy also discussed Egypt's participation in the second edition of the El Alamein International Air and Space Exhibition (EIAS 2026). The exhibition was a significant success, with a large international presence. The minister praised the exhibition's organization and the role it played in showcasing Egypt's capabilities in the aviation and space sectors. He noted that the event resulted in effective partnerships and strategic agreements with several major international companies and institutions.
The meeting also covered the state's efforts to enhance partnerships with the private sector in managing, operating, and developing Egyptian airports. This is in line with cooperation with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector development arm of the World Bank Group. The goal is to utilize specialized technical and administrative expertise to improve operational efficiency, enhance service levels, and increase the competitiveness of Egyptian airports.
El-Hafnawy provided an update on the project to manage, operate, and develop Hurghada International Airport. Ten alliances submitted their bids for the pre-qualification stage, and seven were shortlisted to proceed to the next stage. The minister stated that the next step involves issuing Request for Proposal (RFP) documents to the qualified alliances and determining the timeline for submitting offers. This process aims to select the winning bid and complete the necessary procedures.
The minister emphasized that involving the private sector in airport management and operation does not mean selling or relinquishing ownership of Egyptian airports. Instead, it aims to leverage specialized expertise in project management, operation, and development within the framework of the applicable laws and regulations. He added that the duration of the concession for managing and operating airports is expected to be around 30 years.
El-Hafnawy also discussed plans to develop Egyptian airports and increase their capacity. The plan includes upgrading Cairo International Airport, as well as developing airports in Sphinx, El Alamein, and the New Capital. The goal is to increase the total capacity of Egyptian airports to nearly 100 million passengers annually. He stressed the importance of integrating airport development projects with other transportation networks.
The minister highlighted EgyptAir's plans to update and expand its fleet, aiming to reach 125 aircraft by 2030 and 200 aircraft by 2035. This will support the company's expansion plans and enhance its operational capabilities. He also noted that the Skytrax ranking will serve as an additional incentive to continue improving the passenger experience and service levels.
Key points
- EgyptAir has been ranked as the most improved airline globally by Skytrax in 2026.
- The Egyptian government is working to enhance partnerships with the private sector in managing, operating, and developing Egyptian airports.
- EgyptAir aims to expand its fleet to 125 aircraft by 2030 and 200 aircraft by 2035.
