Cairo: Egypt is moving forward with a comprehensive strategy to modernize its civil aviation sector, including a $3.5 billion expansion of Cairo International Airport and plans to attract global private investment in 11 other airports, Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh El-Hefny said. Speaking during a press briefing with aviation reporters at Sphinx International Airport, Hefny also said his ministry is implementing a national strategy to upgrade Egypt's aviation infrastructure.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the initiative aims to meet rising demand in passenger and cargo traffic and to align with Egypt's broader goal of establishing a smart, integrated transport network connecting air, sea, and land. As part of the plan, Cairo International Airport will see major development through the construction of Terminal 4, which will raise the airport capacity to approximately 30 million passengers per year. A new cargo city with an initial capacity of 1 million tons annually, expandable to 2 million, will also be developed in parallel.
The estimated cost of Terminal 4 is around $3.5 billion, to be self-financed through a partnership between the Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation and several national entities. Construction is expected to take four years. The visual identity of Cairo airport's Terminals 2, 3, and 4 will also be unified to present a cohesive modern image. Terminal 2 and 3 will see upgrades in both infrastructure and capacity, with improvements to passenger services and traffic flow.
Cairo airport recently received international awards, ranking among the largest airports in Africa in both passenger numbers and cargo movement. In parallel, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is conducting feasibility studies to upgrade 11 Egyptian airports. These will later be offered to international operators under various models, including full management contracts or concessions.
The first airport to be offered for international investment will be Hurghada International Airport, one of Egypt's busiest tourism hubs. The ministry is preparing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for interested global firms, in collaboration with the IFC. The entire tender process will span 12 to 14 months and include financial, legal, and technical assessments before contract signing.
Egypt is also restructuring its airspace to shorten flight paths and reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. This is part of a wider initiative to modernize air traffic control using state-of-the-art technologies. Turning to EgyptAir, the national flag carrier has shown improvement in service quality and operational performance. The airline will add 28 aircraft to its fleet in the near term, supporting its expansion into new international and regional destinations.
EgyptAir, in partnership with a global consultancy, has launched a fleet restructuring plan aimed at doubling its size within four years. All subsidiaries of EgyptAir have posted record profits. Minister Hefny concluded by thanking the aviation sector workforce, crediting inter-agency cooperation for recent growth. He also emphasized continued investment in training and workforce development, reaffirming the government's vision of establishing Egypt as a leading regional hub for air transport and logistics.