Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny announced plans to build a fourth passenger terminal at Cairo International Airport to boost capacity and establish it as a regional hub. The ministry has received interest from 68 international companies for managing Hurghada International Airport as a pilot project. He emphasized that Egyptian airports are sovereign assets not for sale, with private sector involvement limited to management and commercial operations.
Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny addressed the House of Representatives’ Tourism and Aviation Committee on plans for a fourth passenger terminal at Cairo International Airport, describing it as a national project using modern technology to enhance capacity and position it as a regional hub. Hurghada International Airport will serve as a pilot for private sector management in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), with 68 global companies and consortia obtaining qualification terms; results will be assessed before expansion to other airports.
On digital transformation, Egypt has started eliminating paper arrival and departure cards, implemented at the Seasonal Terminal on January 27 and piloted at Terminal 3 from February 13 to 17, with gradual rollout planned. Coordination with the Ministry of Interior is underway to activate electronic gates (E-Gates).
National carrier EgyptAir is expanding its fleet by 34 aircraft, including 16 Airbus A350-900s and 18 Boeing 737-8 Max, reaching 97 aircraft by 2030/31. It is also upgrading cabins on 19 Boeing 737-800s and two Airbus A330-200s. The airline achieved record profits and cut losses by over 50%, aiming to eliminate them within four years.
The ministry's economic arm, Air Cairo, operating 40 aircraft, targets 82 within four years to integrate with EgyptAir. EgyptAir climbed to 68th in the 2025 Skytrax rankings, up 20 spots, earning awards for Best Economy Class Onboard Catering, Most Improved Airline in Africa for the second year, and Best Cabin Crew and Airline Staff in Africa.
Reforms include restructuring Egyptian airspace to shorten flight distances, reduce fuel use and emissions, and attract more transit traffic. El-Hefny stressed regulating hot air ballooning to meet top safety standards. The session was chaired by MP Sahar Talat Mostafa.