Egypt prepares Hurghada Airport for private-sector management pilot – minister

Egypt is completing procedures to offer Hurghada Airport as a pilot project for private-sector participation in airport management, operation, and development, seeking to attract foreign investment and international expertise into the aviation sector, its civil aviation minister said Thursday.

Minister Sameh Elhefny briefed President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the preparations during a meeting attended by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly and Minister Amr Adel, Chairman of the Administrative Control Authority (ACA), according to a presidency statement.

“Egyptian airports are sovereign assets owned by the state and are not for sale. Private-sector participation aims to attract foreign direct investment and benefit from international expertise, know-how, and modern technologies,” El-Hefny said according to the statement.

The meeting also reviewed plans to develop Alamein, Sphinx, and New Capital airports, which are expected to add around 12 million passengers a year to the capacity of Egypt’s airport network.

Sisi called for faster implementation of directives issued at the Egypt Forum 2026 to develop air transport policies, legislation, and incentives, boost inbound tourism, and expand air links with international markets. He also called for encouraging private aviation and increasing its share of tourist transport to 30 per cent, the presidency said.