Positive indicators in air transport movement at Egyptian airports during the summer season
Cairo - Nadeh Imam
Air transport indicators at Egyptian airports during the period from June 1 to the end of August 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, showed positive growth rates in passenger and arrival traffic at several major and tourist airports. This comes amid rising demand for Egyptian destinations, with Sohag and Alamein International Airports recording notable activity during the current summer season.
Sohag International Airport led the growth indicators during the aforementioned period, witnessing an increase in the number of flights to 2,053, compared to 574 during the corresponding period in 2025, representing significant growth. The number of passengers also rose to 263,472, compared to 77,021 during the same period.
This noticeable growth follows the airport’s resumption of operations on March 1, 2026, after the completion of comprehensive development and efficiency enhancement works aimed at strengthening its technical, operational, and service readiness, thereby contributing to increased capacity and the ability to absorb the rise in air traffic.
Alamein International Airport continued to record significant growth rates, with the number of flights increasing to 1,857, compared to 1,530, while the number of passengers rose to 120,345, compared to 98,175 during the period from June 1 to the end of August 2026.
This growth reflects the importance of Alamein International Airport within the Egyptian airport network and the expanding scope of air traffic associated with the region, as well as its growing role in supporting tourist traffic and hosting international events, particularly with ongoing preparations to host the second edition of the Alamein International Air and Space Exhibition 2026.
At the level of major airports supporting tourist traffic, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh International Airports recorded clear increases in both the number of flights and passengers.
Regarding Cairo International Airport, Egypt’s primary gateway and main hub for travel and arrivals, it recorded 57,440 flights during the period (June–August 2026), compared to 56,699 flights during the same period in 2025. Total passenger numbers rose to 7,942,903, compared to 7,830,717.
In this context, Dr. Samah El-Hafni, Minister of Civil Aviation, confirmed that the positive indicators recorded by air transport during the summer season reflect the Egyptian airport system’s ability to keep pace with the growing demand for travel to Egyptian destinations. He noted that the Ministry continues to implement plans aimed at enhancing airport efficiency and strengthening their operational and service capacities, thereby supporting the absorption of the expected increase in travel traffic in the coming period.
He added that the next phase will see continued development of the infrastructure of Egyptian airports, improving their efficiency, and utilizing their operational capacities, alongside the development of air connectivity and diversification of markets and operational networks. These efforts aim to enhance the civil aviation sector’s ability to absorb growing demand and support the competitiveness of Egyptian destinations on the international air transport and tourism map.
