Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation is preparing to offer private-sector operators long-term management and development contracts spanning up to 30 years for 11 of its national airports.
The ambitious public-private partnership (PPP) strategy aims to modernize the country’s aviation infrastructure, elevate passenger services, and position Egypt as a premier global travel and trade hub.
The move reflects a broader government mandate to expand private-sector participation in key economic sectors while ensuring the state retains full ownership of its strategic aviation assets.
Striking a Balance Between Investment and Ownership
The proposed 30-year contract length is specifically designed to provide private operators with sufficient time to recover substantial upfront capital investments.
Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny emphasized that these agreements are strictly management and operation concessions. He clarified that the state is not selling its airports but rather assigning their operation to the private sector to leverage modern management models and international standards.
The extended concession period ensures that private consortiums can comfortably finance major infrastructure overhauls, such as terminal expansions, runway rehabilitations, and upgraded security systems, without bearing immediate financial losses.
The First Phase of Privatization
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is actively partnering with the Egyptian government to help structure the transactions and attract world-class investors.
Hurghada International Airport, Egypt’s second-busiest for passenger traffic, has been selected as the first facility to be offered under this scheme. The bidding process for Hurghada has already commenced, setting the framework for the remaining 10 airports.
Winning consortiums are expected to be announced within six to eight months after the final technical specifications and requests for proposals are formally issued.
Airports Included in the Program
The initiative targets facilities strategically located near major tourism destinations and emerging economic zones. Alongside Hurghada, the 10 additional airports slated for private management include:
- Sphinx International Airport
- Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport
- Borg El Arab (Alexandria) International Airport
- Luxor International Airport
- Aswan International Airport
- Sohag International Airport
- Assiut Airport
- Abu Simbel Airport
- El-Alamein International Airport
- Marsa Matrouh Airport
The IFC is actively evaluating these remaining locations to determine whether they should be offered as individual concessions or bundled together in joint investment packages.
Expanding Capacity for Future Growth
Modernizing Egypt’s airports is considered a critical step in accommodating a rapidly growing influx of international tourists and business travelers.
In 2025, Egyptian airports collectively handled approximately 58.94 million passengers, with Cairo International Airport alone accounting for over 30 million travelers. By introducing private sector efficiency, the government aims to significantly expand capacity, upgrade passenger boarding systems, and seamlessly integrate advanced cargo and logistics handling.
As the bidding process moves forward, the successful implementation of these long-term management contracts will be a defining test for Egypt’s ability to attract sustainable foreign direct investment and reshape its aviation landscape for decades to come.
