Air Cairo took part in the fourth edition of the Istanbul International Tourism Fair (ITF 2026) in Turkey, held in Istanbul on 24 and 25 September, with wide participation from specialists and decision-makers in the aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors from around the world.
On the sidelines of the fair, Air Cairo chairman Hussein Sherif reviewed, during a panel discussion, the outlook for the Egyptian tourism market, opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Egypt and Turkey, and Air Cairo's plan to develop air links between Egypt and international markets. He stressed the importance of the Turkish market for tourism and trade, and the need to expand travel options for tourists, travel agents and tour operators.
Sherif pointed to the notable growth in economic relations and travel between the two countries, with trade between them ranging from $7 billion to $8 billion in 2025, while passenger traffic between Egypt and Turkey rose to about 650,000 passengers in the same year.
He explained that this growth is reflected in Air Cairo's plans through more flights from Cairo and new routes from Istanbul to Egyptian tourist destinations, led by Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, noting that through Air Cairo's flights Hurghada has become a hub connecting Egypt with a large number of markets and destinations around the world.
Hussein Sherif announced that Air Cairo is studying new destinations to and from Turkey, including Bodrum and Trabzon, in line with developments in travel demand and to open the way for more tourism and trade between the two countries.
The discussion covered opportunities to develop air traffic and the role of airlines in supporting integration between air transport and the tourism and hotel product, offering a more flexible travel experience and supporting growth in regional and international markets.
Air Cairo's participation in ITF 2026 underlines its role as a national carrier connecting tourism source markets with Egyptian destinations and supporting tour groups, individual travel and the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, as well as expanding cooperation with tour companies, tour operators, hotels and destination management companies, according to Air Cairo's official Facebook page.
