Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that the addition of the first Airbus A350-900 aircraft to the fleet of national carrier EgyptAir comes within the framework of a comprehensive vision directed by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to achieve an unprecedented leap in Egypt’s aviation sector.
Madbouly made the remarks during a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to mark the induction of the first wide-body Airbus A350-900 aircraft into EgyptAir’s fleet. The aircraft is part of a contract signed with Airbus to supply 16 planes of the same model over the coming years.
The Prime Minister expressed his pleasure at attending what he described as a significant milestone for the national carrier, noting that the new aircraft will enhance Egypt’s ability to operate long-haul flights reaching the western United States and the far north and east of Asia. He stressed that the fleet expansion forms part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening the efficiency and global competitiveness of Egypt’s civil aviation sector.
Madbouly explained that the development of the aviation system rests on two main pillars: upgrading passenger aircraft and modernizing airport infrastructure to accommodate visitors from around the world. He highlighted ongoing coordination with successive ministers of civil aviation to achieve comprehensive development in line with presidential directives.
He described the aviation sector as a key component of Egypt’s soft power, in addition to its central role in stimulating global tourism flows to and from the country. Given Egypt’s geographic location within Africa, he said, air transport represents a fundamental means of connectivity, unlike Europe where travel between countries often relies more heavily on cars and trains.
The Prime Minister underscored that without developing national air routes, strengthening cooperation with international airlines, and upgrading airport services, the government’s goal of attracting 30 million tourists would remain out of reach. He reaffirmed his personal commitment to coordinating government efforts to realize these targets.
Madbouly also revealed that Cairo International Airport recorded an unprecedented daily passenger figure of 111,200 travelers, a development he described as both a success and a challenge. He called for accelerating the completion of the new Terminal 4 project at Cairo International Airport, alongside ongoing upgrades at Hurghada Airport and other facilities nationwide.
In this regard, he noted cooperation with the International Finance Corporation to establish partnerships with global companies for the management and operation of airports, aiming to enhance service quality and reinforce Egypt’s positive image among international visitors.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of adhering to the highest standards of governance and operational efficiency at both EgyptAir and airport management companies. While the state’s role includes expanding the fleet and upgrading infrastructure, he said, true success lies in ensuring world-class management and sustainable service standards comparable to leading international airlines and airports.
Madbouly further emphasized the need for strict adherence to flight schedules and service commitments, as well as reducing processing times. He pointed to directives to eliminate paper-based travel and arrival cards, noting that a trial phase is currently underway to transition to a fully digital system for both arriving and departing passengers. The move, he said, is intended to streamline procedures and improve the overall travel experience.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Egypt has a comprehensive plan to modernize and upgrade the civil aviation sector in support of tourism, one of the country’s most vital sources of national income in the coming period.
Concluding his remarks, Madbouly thanked all parties involved in finalizing the Airbus deal and implementing ongoing aviation development projects. He also extended his congratulations to President Sisi and the Egyptian people on the occasion of the approaching holy month of Ramadan, expressing hope for continued progress and prosperity across all sectors.
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