A global consortium plans to construct a new Terminal 4 for passengers at Cairo International Airport. This is part of the Egyptian government's strategy to enhance airports and expand their capabilities, in keeping with their objective to bring in 30 million tourists to Egypt by 2028.
Experts in the tourism industry have emphasized the significance of a project aimed at boosting tourist flights. This involves expanding Egyptian Airlines' network and increasing charter flights to meet the rising tourist demand.
According to Magdy Sadek, a Chamber of Tourism Companies member, the Egyptian government has set a target of attracting 30 million tourists each year by 2028. They plan to enhance Egyptian airport capacity, expand the airline network, and modernize the aircraft fleet to achieve this goal. This will enable them to cater to more passengers and provide excellent services. The construction of a new passenger terminal aligns with this strategy and optimizes Egyptian airports' economic benefits.
Egypt experienced a record-breaking influx of over 7 million tourists in the first half of 2023, marking a significant milestone in the country's tourism industry. Furthermore, it is projected to welcome 15 million tourists this year, with an ambitious target of 30 million tourists by 2028, a yearly increase of 20%.
A new passenger terminal is being built at Cairo International Airport to double its capacity. This will ease overcrowding and facilitate passenger movement from multiple destinations. This move takes advantage of Egypt's strategic geo-location, which increases flights and maximizes state revenues. In addition, it will serve the international trade movement by increasing air cargo flights, which will help to develop Egyptian exports.
In 2022, Cairo International Airport saw a record-breaking number of passengers, with 20 million passing through its terminals. This is the highest number of passengers the airport has seen in its 60-year history. On April 24th, the airport also set a record for daily flights, with 612 flights carrying 82.3 passengers. The airport boasts multiple passenger terminals.
Over the past few years, the Egyptian civil aviation sector has achieved significant progress by constructing new airports. One of the most notable examples is Berenice International Airport, which aims to promote inbound tourism to the southern Red Sea alongside Marsa Alam Airport. Additionally, Saint Catherine and Taba airports were established to cater to tourists interested in visiting Sharm El Sheikh, Taba, Saint Catherine, religious destinations, and the beaches of the Red Sea. The Chamber of Tourism Companies has proposed a comprehensive tourism program for each governorate to government agencies to ensure increased tourist stays. This program would entice tourists to visit various provinces throughout the year.
Over the past few years, Egypt has opened five new airports: Sanfix, the Administrative Capital, Berenice, Bardawil, and Ras Sidr. They have also undertaken significant development projects at Borg El Arab, El Alamein, Taba, Sharm El Sheikh, and Cairo airports. As a result, Egypt now boasts 27 airports.
According to tourism experts, constructing a new passenger terminal at Cairo Airport will alleviate overcrowding. Cairo Airport is the busiest airport in Africa for passenger traffic. However, this development may not significantly impact tourism, as the availability of low-cost flights to airports in popular tourist destinations such as Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and El Alamein largely influences it.
New terminals have not been constructed at Cairo International Airport since Terminal 3 became operational in 2009, and Terminal 2 was developed in September 2016. These developments have increased the airport's capacity to accommodate 7.5 million passengers annually.
Expanding the airline network, particularly with charter flights, and improving Cairo International Airport's absorption capacity can boost inbound tourism to Egypt. This aligns to attract 30 million tourists by 2028, necessitating enhancing airport capacity, increasing the number of hotel rooms, and improving tourist transportation.
Recently, Cairo Airport signed two agreements with Singapore's Changi Company. The first agreement involves conducting feasibility studies for the design, operation, management, and marketing of Logistics City, which aims to enhance air cargo capacity at Cairo International Airport. The second agreement is to develop effective solutions that enhance the quality of services provided to passengers at the airport.