Minister of Civil Aviation Dr Sameh El-Hefny said Egyptian airports currently have a combined capacity of approximately 73 million passengers annually. The ministry aims to increase this to more than 122 million by 2030 through upgrades and expansions, better use of existing assets and private-sector expertise in management, operation and development.
He reviewed airport development since 2014, including capacity upgrades at Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Alexandria, Alamein, Saint Catherine and Arish, alongside the addition of Sphinx, the New Capital, Berenice and Bardawil airports to the civil aviation system. These projects extend aviation services and support tourism and urban development.
Upcoming projects include upgrades at Alamein, Sphinx and New Capital airports, adding around 12 million passengers a year to national capacity.
El-Hefny said 11 airports are intended to be offered for private-sector management, operation and development, excluding Cairo International Airport. An international consultant is preparing a strategic study to identify suitable airports and evaluate whether to offer them individually or in packages.
Hurghada International Airport is the pilot project. Consortium prequalification has been completed and request-for-proposal documents are being finalised for qualified bidders. A draft concession contract for operating, developing and managing Ras El Hekma Airport is also being prepared for submission to Parliament.
The minister stressed that Egyptian airports are state-owned sovereign assets and are not for sale. Private-sector participation aims to attract foreign direct investment, access modern expertise and technology, transfer technical and managerial knowledge to Egyptian staff and reduce pressure on the public budget, while protecting workers’ rights and developing their skills to international standards.
Terminal 4 at Cairo Airport
El-Hefny said Cairo International Airport handles more than 31 million passengers annually despite a current design capacity of 28 million, highlighting the need to expand infrastructure to meet growing demand.
Work is underway to offer the Terminal 4 construction project, with estimated investment of US$4.2 billion, as part of plans to raise airport capacity to 70 million passengers annually in the first phase and 110 million after 2041.
The ministry is also considering an air cargo and logistics city at Cairo Airport to support freight, strengthen logistics capabilities and reinforce Egypt’s role as a hub serving African and global markets.
Encouraging private aviation to support tourism
The ministry is developing air transport policies, legislation and incentives to stimulate inbound tourism and expand links with different markets.
He highlighted unrestricted landing access for charter flights from cities worldwide at Egyptian airports, liberalisation at tourism airports and measures encouraging private airlines. These carriers now account for approximately 30% of inbound tourism by air, excluding EGYPTAIR traffic.
His remarks came during the “Foreign Exchange Resources and Debt Management” session at Egypt Forum 2026, held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He also outlined plans for airport development, stronger air transport capabilities, infrastructure expansion and fleet modernisation at national airlines to support inbound tourism and foreign-exchange earnings, in line with development targets through 2030.
The session featured Central Bank Governor Hassan Abdalla; Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk; Planning and Economic Development Minister Dr Ahmed Rostom; Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy; Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Dr Mohamed Farid Saleh; Suez Canal Authority Chairman Admiral Osama Rabie; and experts and specialists. Journalist Dina Salem moderated the discussion.
