Civil aviation minister dismisses airport sale rumours, unveils expansion plans
By Mohamed Attia
Minister of Civil Aviation, Sameh El-Hefny, has firmly denied recent rumours regarding the sale of Egyptian airports to foreign entities, emphasising that all airports remain under full state ownership and sovereignty. The government, he stated, is implementing a comprehensive strategy focused on enhancing airport efficiency and expanding capacity through infrastructure upgrades and increased private sector participation.
During a meeting with aviation journalists, Dr. El-Hefny outlined several key developments within Egypt’s aviation sector. He revealed that EgyptAir, the national carrier, is on track to expand its fleet to 125 aircraft by 2030 and plans to broaden its route network to cover 100 destinations worldwide. The airline’s operations in Africa are set for significant growth, with services expanding to 32 airports across 30 countries by 2028, amounting to 276 weekly flights.
Addressing recent speculation about privatisation, the Minister clarified that while private sector involvement is being explored for airport management to enhance service quality, the state retains full ownership. He cited successful models of public-private partnerships, including the BOT agreement at Marsa Alam Airport and strategic collaborations with global firms in EgyptAir’s maintenance and duty-free divisions.
El-Hefny highlighted EgyptAir’s critical national role, recalling its involvement in evacuating Egyptians from Libya and its efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite a reported loss reduction to EGP 16 billion in the latest financial year, the airline is undergoing restructuring to boost profitability and service quality.
The Minister also addressed Egypt’s commitment to environmental sustainability, announcing that the new terminal at Borg El Arab International Airport, set to begin trial operations later this month, will mark a significant step towards creating environmentally friendly airports in line with the country’s sustainable development goals.
In addition, El-Hefny confirmed that the Egypt International Air and Space Exhibition 2024 will take place from September 3 to 5, underscoring its importance in positioning Egypt as a regional aviation and aerospace hub. The event is expected to draw international experts and reinforce global co-operation in the aviation industry.
Finally, the Minister praised the resilience of Egyptian airport staff during a recent global IT disruption, noting that no flights from Egypt were affected, thanks to the deployment of alternative systems and crisis management protocols.
The ministry continues to prioritise the welfare of aviation personnel, with ongoing efforts to foster a positive and productive working environment across the sector.
