Egypt’s aviation sector has achieved remarkable progress, climbing 36 spots in the Air Transport Infrastructure Index to secure 27th place globally in 2024. This advancement highlights the country’s commitment to becoming a global air transport hub.
A report by the Cabinet’s Media Center revealed that Egypt’s rise from 63rd in 2015 underscores substantial improvements in aviation infrastructure. Since 2014, the country has expanded airport capacity by 28.5%, handling 66.2 million passengers in 2023, up from 51.5 million.
Key investments include a budget of EGP 31.3 billion ($626.7 million) to modernize airport facilities, navigation systems, and safety measures, with projects slated for completion by June 2027. Recent developments include:
- Cairo International Airport boosting baggage handling to 12,000 bags/hour.
- Borg El Arab Airport expanding capacity from 1.2M to 6M passengers annually.
- Sharm El Sheikh Airport increasing capacity to 10M passengers annually.
Additionally, radar systems now cover 83% of Egypt’s airspace, with €206.6 million invested.
In a strategic move, Egypt began transferring airport management to the private sector in March, with plans to tender operations for major hubs like Cairo International Airport.
These advancements are part of a broader vision to enhance aviation infrastructure, strengthen global connectivity, and drive economic growth.