El-Hefny: EgyptAir is fully contractually committed to passengers' rights, especially regarding round-trip tickets
Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation, took part in a meeting of the House of Representatives' Tourism and Aviation Committee, chaired by MP Sahar Talaat Moustafa, to discuss briefing requests related to the air transport system and services provided to passengers, and to review the sector's plan to face regional challenges and prepare for the Hajj season.
The meeting was attended by MPs Amr Darwish and Hisham Hussein, deputy chairs of the committee, and MP Ahmed El-Ashmouny, the committee's secretary, along with the committee's member MPs and a number of civil aviation sector leaders.
The meeting addressed a number of vital issues, including concerns raised about airfares, especially on return flights from the Gulf states. Dr. Sameh El-Hefny stressed that EgyptAir is fully contractually committed to passengers' rights, especially regarding round-trip tickets, explaining that any increases were due to exceptional operating conditions imposed by the regional situation, including rerouting flights and operating some flights one way without being full, as well as higher operating, insurance and fuel costs, while flights have continued to operate regularly despite these challenges.
The meeting also covered the sector's latest strategic project, the construction of Terminal 4 at Cairo International Airport. He stressed that it is one of the ministry's most prominent projects and aims to raise the airport's capacity to more than 60 million passengers a year, applying the latest operational and technological systems, enhancing the travel experience and consolidating the airport's position as a pivotal regional hub for air transport.
The Minister of Aviation also reviewed the development plan for national carrier EgyptAir, which includes modernizing the fleet by adding 34 new aircraft to bring the total fleet to 97 aircraft by 2030-2031, along with improving operational efficiency and service quality. He pointed to the airline's success in regaining its international standing in the 2025 Skytrax ranking, where it rose to 68th place globally among the top 100 airlines, up 20 places from the previous year, as well as achieving unprecedented profits, with a plan to wipe out accumulated losses within 4 years.
Regarding Air Cairo, the Minister of Aviation explained that it represents an important economic arm in supporting and boosting tourism, as it currently has a fleet of about 41 aircraft, with a plan to increase it to 82 aircraft over the next four years, noting that work is underway to integrate its route network with that of EgyptAir by engaging a global consultant specialized in this field, helping achieve the maximum possible benefit and expand reach to various markets. He also noted that the airline carries about 20% of inbound tourism to Egypt and about 30% of inbound traffic to Hurghada International Airport.
In a related context, El-Hefny stressed that the civil aviation sector pays great attention to environmental sustainability, noting the use of solar energy at some Egyptian airports, led by Cairo and Alexandria airports, while studying extending the experience to the remaining airports, helping reduce emissions, improve operational efficiency and support the state's efforts to diversify renewable and clean energy sources.
He also reviewed the ministry's efforts to expand the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as well as studying a project to build a plant to produce it locally in cooperation with the relevant ministries and bodies, strengthening Egypt's ability to keep pace with global shifts in the aviation industry, reducing reliance on conventional fuel and supporting the move towards a green, low-carbon economy.
He explained that the environmental challenge has become a top priority for the aviation industry worldwide, amid efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a goal adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization as part of its international strategy for environmental sustainability in the aviation sector.
El-Hefny added that these efforts are part of an integrated strategy to transform the civil aviation sector into an environmentally friendly sector, in line with Egypt Vision 2030 for sustainable development.
The meeting also addressed the sector's preparations for this year's Hajj season, reviewing the operating plan for EgyptAir and Cairo International Airport, raising operational readiness and full coordination among the various authorities concerned to ensure regular flights and provide the best services to pilgrims.
Regarding digital transformation, the Minister of Civil Aviation pointed to the progress made in developing the flight permits system and strengthening cybersecurity systems, as well as abolishing the "paper passport card" for Egyptian passengers on departure and arrival at all passenger terminals at Cairo International Airport and replacing it with an integrated digital system in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, helping simplify and speed up procedures and improve the travel experience.
He explained that the system is being gradually rolled out to the remaining Egyptian airports in the coming phase, in line with the state's drive towards comprehensive digital transformation. He also thanked all the security authorities concerned, praising their efforts and effective coordination, which had a great impact on the success of this measure, stressing that what has been achieved reflects an integrated model of institutional work and efficient government performance.
The Minister of Civil Aviation stressed that training and qualifying human resources is a key pillar of the sector's development strategy, helping raise performance efficiency and strengthen aviation safety and security.
For their part, the MPs praised the Ministry of Civil Aviation's efforts to develop the sector, especially in updating legislative frameworks, noting the importance of Decree No. 333 of 2026 amending the executive regulations of the Civil Aviation Law, given its role in improving the investment environment and boosting digital transformation.
At the end of the meeting, the Minister of Civil Aviation stressed the continued implementation of an integrated strategic vision for developing the civil aviation sector, based on the principles of sustainability, institutional modernization and maximizing operational efficiency, helping boost the sector's competitiveness and consolidate Egypt's position as a pivotal regional hub for air transport, in line with the state's targets for achieving comprehensive development.
El-Hefny also stressed the importance of Parliament's oversight and legislative roles in supporting the ministry's efforts, stressing that integration and continuous coordination between the executive and legislative authorities are a key pillar for driving development and providing a flexible, investment-friendly legislative environment, achieving the targets of the Egyptian state's vision and enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the civil aviation system.
