Cairo: Egypt's airports are set to transition from paper landing cards to a digital system for all arriving and departing passengers by the end of January, as announced by Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny. The initiative aims to streamline travel and enhance passenger experiences.
According to State Information Service Egypt, El-Hefny, during a phone interview with Sada El-Balad TV, revealed that the ministry is finalizing a digital application to replace the traditional paper passport card. This digital system will enable electronic processing of passenger data, thus accelerating passenger flow within terminals, particularly during peak travel periods, and improving service quality to meet international standards.
The transition to digital landing cards is part of a broader strategy to digitize services across Egyptian airports. El-Hefny noted that a recent cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, reviewed the pilot phase developments of the integrated electronic visa issuance system. This system will allow online visa applications, reducing paperwork while ensuring speed and accuracy. The meeting also addressed procedures for emergency visas, aiming to facilitate swift acquisition for tourists upon arrival, thereby supporting inbound tourism.
Discussing ground services, El-Hefny highlighted improved performance indicators, mentioning that the first piece of checked baggage now reaches passengers within 20 minutes of an aircraft's arrival, with the last bag delivered within 40 minutes. These improvements are part of a plan to enhance operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction.
On airport management, El-Hefny clarified that private sector involvement will be limited to management and operation, not ownership. Stressing that airports are sovereign state assets, he outlined plans to outsource the management of 11 airports to specialized private-sector operators, commencing with a pilot project at one airport and expanding in phases. The ministry has issued a prequalification booklet, attracting interest from over 62 consortia, each consisting of an airport management company, a construction firm, and a third partner.
According to El-Hefny, applications for management will remain open until February 12, after which a shortlist will be prepared within two months to select the winning company or consortium. Cairo International Airport is currently handling record passenger numbers, averaging about 106,000 travelers daily, with studies underway for the planned Terminal 4.
Regarding tourism destinations, El-Hefny mentioned collaboration with the company developing Marsa Alam Airport, noting a 20 percent increase in tourist flights, alongside steady growth in traffic to Sharm El-Sheikh. He also addressed recent regional disruptions, citing a technical failure at Athens Airport and the temporary closure of Greek airspace that caused significant flight route disruptions. Egyptian airports were on high alert and managed the situation effectively, earning international media praise for their capability to handle the impact. The disruption was fully resolved by 6 pm, with air traffic returning to normal.
El-Hefny further noted efforts to improve service quality at EgyptAir and enhance its international ranking. EgyptAir currently operates 65 aircraft, with plans to expand the fleet to 97 within three years, revised from an earlier target of 120.
The shift to digital landing cards aligns with global trends, as European states and the United States have gradually phased out paper cards over the past two decades, replacing them with passport-based border controls and advanced passenger data systems. The UK abolished landing cards in 2019, relying on eGates, passport checks, and advance passenger information. Across continental Europe, Schengen countries eliminated routine paper cards between 2008 and 2011, with the system effectively disappearing by 2015 as authorities relied on biometric passports, airline data, and national databases.