Egypt's Minister of Civil Aviation Dr. Sameh El Hefny witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Egyptian and Emirati civil aviation authorities aimed at expanding air transport rights between the two countries, on the sidelines of the 11th Africa and Indian Ocean Aviation Week (AFI Aviation Week 2026), currently being hosted by Cairo.
The memorandum was signed by Navigator Sameh Fawzy, Chairman of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, and Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority.
The step comes within the framework of the brotherly relations and strategic partnership between the two countries, and both sides' keenness to keep pace with the continued growth in travel by developing regulatory frameworks that support the expansion of air transport services and enhance operational efficiency.
The memorandum provides for a phased expansion of air transport rights over the coming years, giving carriers greater operational flexibility, strengthening direct connectivity between the two countries and helping meet growing demand for travel services, serving the interests of the civil aviation sector on both sides.
In this context, Dr. Sameh El Hefny said the signing embodies the depth of Egyptian-Emirati relations and reflects a shared vision for strengthening civil aviation cooperation in step with rapid developments in the air transport industry regionally and internationally.
El Hefny added that the Ministry of Civil Aviation continues to implement its vision of expanding the air connectivity network by updating bilateral agreements and strengthening cooperation with strategic partners, helping to raise the efficiency of the air transport system, strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian airports and establish Egypt as a leading regional aviation hub.
For his part, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi said the memorandum reflects the level of trust and coordination between the two countries' civil aviation authorities and is an important step toward broadening cooperation, supporting the sustainable growth of air transport and keeping pace with the steady increase in travel between Egypt and the UAE.
He added that the memorandum is expected to strengthen the efficiency of air connectivity, open wider operational opportunities for carriers and support travel, trade and investment, in line with the growing economic and investment relations between the two countries.
