Egypt's Minister of Civil Aviation, Dr. Samah El-Hafni, announced that seven international alliances have qualified for the next stage of a project to manage and operate Hurghada International Airport in partnership with the private sector. The alliances, out of ten that submitted bids, met the required technical and financial criteria. This project aims to utilize global expertise in airport management and maximize the economic and operational returns of one of Egypt's most important tourist airports.
The project represents a new model of partnership with the private sector, following best international practices, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank. The current stage involves completing the bidding process and preparing tender documents to select the winning alliance. The alliances that qualified include major international entities specializing in airport management and operation.
Dr. El-Hafni emphasized that the goal is not just to manage the airport but to bring in advanced global expertise, develop services, improve the passenger experience, increase revenues, and maximize the utilization of state-owned assets. The names of the qualified alliances will be officially announced through the Ministry of Civil Aviation's website and the Egyptian Airports Company's official website.
The Minister of Civil Aviation also reviewed the achievements of Egypt's participation in the EIAS 2026 International Aviation and Space Exhibition. He highlighted Egypt's progress in the aviation sector, including the national carrier, EgyptAir, which has entered the list of the world's top 50 airlines for the first time, ranking 46th globally according to SkyTrax.
EgyptAir's achievement reflects the significant development the airline has undergone in recent years in terms of fleet, services, digital transformation, and human resources efficiency. The national carrier is now capable of competing strongly with major global airlines. The airline's CEO, Ahmed Adel, stated that this achievement crowns the efforts of thousands of employees across various subsidiaries.
Another airline, Air Cairo, has also achieved remarkable results, with a growth strategy that includes increasing its fleet and enhancing its presence in regional and international markets. The airline recently signed a contract to purchase 30 new Airbus A320neo aircraft, one of the largest deals in its history, reflecting confidence in the airline's future and growth capabilities.
Air Cairo's CEO, Hussein Sharif, explained that the deal includes obtaining 30 new aircraft in two phases, with 15 aircraft to be delivered in the first phase by 2028. This agreement provides the airline with significant flexibility in implementing its future plans and expanding its network. The new aircraft will support plans to expand into new markets and increase seat capacity to Egyptian tourist destinations.
Key points
- Seven international alliances have qualified to manage and operate Hurghada International Airport.
- EgyptAir has entered the list of the world's top 50 airlines, ranking 46th globally.
- Air Cairo has signed a deal to purchase 30 new Airbus A320neo aircraft to support its growth strategy.
