Egypt has taken the first step towards allowing private companies to manage some of its busiest airports, starting with Hurghada International Airport on the Red Sea.
The Civil Aviation Ministry says the move is part of a wider plan to bring private-sector expertise into 11 airports across the country while keeping them publicly owned.
IFC to guide Egypt’s new airport partnership plan
The government has appointed the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as its lead adviser. The IFC will help identify private partners and shape a national strategy for airport operations, covering all 11 airports selected for future private-sector involvement.
In its announcement on Wednesday, the ministry said Hurghada was chosen as the first airport in the programme because of its heavy passenger traffic and its importance to Egypt’s tourism sector.
Hurghada selected as the pilot airport
Hurghada is Egypt’s second-busiest airport and a major hub for visitors to the Red Sea. The ministry says upgrading the airport is essential to improving its efficiency and handling rising numbers of travellers.
Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny said the airport’s development is crucial for meeting future demand.
The country’s airports handled more than 50 million passengers on almost 400,000 flights in 2024.
Hurghada alone received about 10.5 million passengers during the 2024–2025 fiscal year, a 22% increase compared with the previous year, underscoring the pressure to expand capacity and improve services.
More airports to follow
After Hurghada, the partnership model is expected to be extended to 10 other airports. These include Sphinx International, Sharm El Sheikh International, Alexandria International, Luxor International, Aswan International, Sohag International, Assiut, Abu Simbel, El Alamein and Marsa Matruh.
The ministry says the goal is to raise service standards, improve efficiency and support the growth of Egypt’s aviation sector as passenger numbers continue to climb.