Airports in Egypt

Egypt, the land of timeless treasures and breathtaking landscapes, welcomes millions of travelers every year through its extensive network of airports. From bustling international hubs to regional Airports in Egypt connecting remote corners of the country, Egypt’s aviation infrastructure ensures seamless travel experiences for visitors exploring its iconic landmarks and hidden gems.

Whether you’re arriving to marvel at the Pyramids of Giza, unwind on the Red Sea’s pristine beaches, or embark on a Nile cruise, Egyptian airports serve as efficient gateways to your journey. Designed to accommodate the needs of modern travelers, these airports offer a blend of convenience, cultural ambiance, and world-class services to make your visit unforgettable.

List of 19 Egyptian Airports

1. Cairo International Airport

• Name and Significance: Cairo International Airport is the oldest and one of largest airports in Egypt and the second busiest in Africa.
• Ownership and Operation: Owned by the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation and operated by the Cairo Airport Company.
• Primary Hub: Serves as the main hub for Egypt’s airlines, including Egyptair, Nile Air, Air Arabia Egypt, and Air Cairo, alongside numerous international airlines.
• Year of Construction: Established in 1963.
• Size and Location: Spans 37 square kilometers (14 square miles) and is situated in the city of Heliopolis, approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) northeast of Cairo.

2. Capital International Airport (Egypt)

• Purpose and Location:
  Egypt’s main hub serving the new capital, located 28 miles east of Cairo.
• History and Development:
  • Established alongside Sphinx International Airport to reduce pressure on Cairo International Airport.
  • Inaugurated in July 2019 after a trial period, with commercial operations starting in 2020.
  • Constructed by Hassan Allam Holding and managed by the Egyptian Airports Company under the ownership of the Egyptian Armed Forces.
• Design and Facilities:
  • Spans 16 square kilometers with an elevation of 833 feet.
  • Main building covers 54,000 square feet, with a terminal spanning 38,000 square feet.
  • Equipped to handle 1 million passengers annually, with significant room for expansion.
• Key Features:
  • Eight aircraft parking spaces and 45 service and administrative buildings.
  • Air control tower and an 11,980-foot runway for large aircraft, with advanced lighting and automatic landing systems.
  • Caters to public use, petroleum firms, private jets, and air taxi services.

3. Sphinx International Airport

• Overview:
  • Located in Giza, near the iconic Giza Pyramids, along the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road.
  • Positioned next to Cairo West Air Base, with terminal facilities west of the Cairo West runway complex.
• Timeline and Development:
  • Announced in 2017, with testing operations starting in October 2018.
  • EgyptAir Express began trial flights in January 2019.
  • Received its first international flight in January 2020 from Jordan by Fly Jordan.
  • Began scheduled flights from Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022.
• Connection to Tourism:
  • Aligns with the 2024 opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, attracting increased traffic.
• Expansion and Facilities:
  • Expanded from 4,500 to 23,000 square meters to accommodate growing passenger numbers.
  • Offers halls, passport offices, dining areas, duty-free shops, check-in counters, and extensive infrastructure.

4. Luxor International Airport

• Location and Significance:
  • Situated 6 km (4 mi) east of Luxor, near the Nile and Valley of the Kings.
  • Popular among charter airlines due to its proximity to major tourist attractions.
• Facilities and Features:
  • Operates as both a public and military airport with a 3,000-meter (9,843-foot) asphalt runway.
  • Can accommodate up to 8 million passengers annually through 8 gates.
• Traveler Amenities:
  • Includes shops, restaurants, travel agencies, banks, car rentals, medical facilities, and accessibility options.
  • 48 check-in desks, 8 gates, and 5 baggage claim belts.
  • Additional services: VIP lounge, duty-free shops, post office, and currency exchange.

5. Aswan International Airport

• History and Upgrades:
  • Established in 1956 and upgraded in 1992 and 1999.
• Location and Capacity:
  • Located 16 km southwest of Aswan, with a 3.4-kilometer runway.
  • Can handle over 1 million passengers annually, served by 15 airlines.
• Facilities:
  • Includes shops, bazaars, restaurants, travel agencies, banks, and prayer rooms.
  • Provides a comfortable travel experience, connecting visitors to attractions like Abu Simbel and the Nile cruises.

6. Hurghada International Airport

• Location and Accessibility:
  • Located 5 km (3.1 miles) southwest of Hurghada’s downtown, El Dahar.
  • Positioned just 15 minutes from world-class resorts along the Red Sea.
• Significance:
  • Second busiest airport in Egypt, after Cairo International Airport.
  • Serves as a key destination for leisure flights from Europe, with over 40 airlines offering seasonal charter flights.
• Capacity and Facilities:
  • Can handle up to 13 million passengers annually.
  • Features two terminals equipped with modern travel facilities.

7. Sharm El Sheikh International Airport

• Overview and Location:
  • One of the largest and third busiest airports in Egypt.
  • Situated 18 km (11 miles) northeast of Sharm El Sheikh, near Red Sea resorts.
• Capacity and Destinations:
  • Accommodates up to 10 million passengers annually.
  • Dispatches domestic flights across Egypt and international flights to Europe and the Middle East.
• Facilities:
  • Equipped with two terminals offering a wide range of amenities for travelers.

8. Marsa Alam International Airport

• Location and Ownership:
  • Positioned 60 km north of the Marsa Alam resort city.
  • The only privately owned airport in Egypt, operated by the M.A Al-Kharafi Group of Kuwait.
• Purpose and Capacity:
  • Built in 2003 to meet growing demand from European travelers visiting the Red Sea.
  • Can accommodate up to 10 million passengers annually.

9. Borg El Arab International Airport (Alexandria)

• Primary Role:
  • Serves as the main gateway to Alexandria and the Nile Delta region.
  • Replaced El Nouzha Airport and remains Alexandria’s only operational airport.
• Location and Management:
  • Located 40 km southwest of Alexandria in Borg El Arab.
  • Managed by the Egyptian Airports Company.
• Capacity and Expansion:
  • Opened in June 2009 and operational since February 2010.
  • Annual capacity of 1.2 million passengers, with significant expansions to meet growing demand.
• Facilities:
  • Boat-shaped passenger terminal spanning three floors, featuring check-in counters, arrivals, departures, duty-free shops, and food courts.
  • Equipped with boarding bridges, a control tower, fire station, and parking for up to 350 vehicles.

10. El Alamein International Airport

• Location and Coverage:
  • Situated in El Dabaa, Matrouh Governorate, 160 km (99 miles) west of Alexandria.
  • Covers 25 square miles (64 square kilometers).
• Capacity and Infrastructure:
  • Single terminal can handle 600 passengers per hour.
  • Features a single 11,480-foot (3,499-meter) asphalt runway accommodating A380-800 aircraft.
• Ownership and History:
  • Owned and operated by the International Airports Company, part of KATO Investment.
  • Established in 1999 through a 50-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) concession.
• Historical Significance:
  • Holds importance for New Zealand war veterans, who departed from this site post-World War II.

11. Abu Simbel International Airport

• Location and Elevation:
  • Found in southern Egypt, in Abu Simbel.
  • Elevation: 616 feet (188 meters) above sea level.
• Significance and Operations:
  • A regional airport serving as a public facility operated by the government.
  • In 2011, it handled 119,326 passengers, marking a 75.6% decline from 2010.
• Infrastructure:
  • Single asphalt runway, designated 15/33, measuring 9,843 feet (3,000 meters).
• Airlines and Destinations:
  • Air Cairo: Flights to Aswan and Cairo.
  • EgyptAir: Flights to Aswan.

12. Assiut International Airport

• Location and Accessibility:
  • Situated in Assiut, Upper Egypt, 4 hours from Luxor and 4.5 hours from Hurghada.
• Operations and Management:
  • Public airport managed by the government.
  • Elevation: 772 feet (231 meters) above sea level.
• Infrastructure:
  • Single asphalt runway, 9,905 feet (3,019 meters) long.
• Airlines and Destinations:
  • Air Cairo: Flights to Amman, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Medina, Riyadh, and Dammam.
  • EgyptAir: Flights to Cairo.
  • FlyEgypt: Routes to Amman, Jeddah, and Kuwait City.
  • Jazeera Airways: Flights to Kuwait City.

13. Sohag International Airport

• Location and Historical Significance:
  • Situated 15 miles south of Sohag, established in 2010.
  • Inspired by ancient Egyptian architecture.
• Capacity and Infrastructure:
  • Serves up to 311,000 passengers annually.
  • Single asphalt runway, 7,707 feet (2,349 meters) long.
  • Terminal with Pharaonic themes accommodates 3.5 million passengers yearly.
• Facilities:
  • Equipped with duty-free shops, VIP areas, and modern security measures.
• Connections:
  • Links Sohag and Upper Egypt to Gulf states, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

14. El Arish International Airport

• Location and Coverage:
  • Positioned south of El Arish, spanning 400 acres (160 hectares).
  • Strategically located 28 miles (45 km) from the Rafah Border Crossing, facilitating travel between Egypt and Palestine.
• Capacity and Infrastructure:
  • Handles 200 passengers per hour and up to 6,000 annually.
  • Single asphalt runway, 9,905 feet (3,019 meters) long.
  • Parking space for up to four aircraft.
• Operations and Management:
  • Operated by the government.
  • Elevation: 121 feet (37 meters) above sea level.

15. Marsa Matruh International Airport

• Location and Role:
  • Serves the city of Marsa Matruh in Egypt.
  • Operates as a public facility under government management.
• Infrastructure:
  • Two asphalt runways, each 9,843 feet (3,000 meters) long.
  • Positioned at an elevation of 94 feet (29 meters) above sea level.
• Operations:
  • Since 2001, it has handled 99,515 passengers.

16. Port Said International Airport

• Location and Importance:
  • Situated in Port Said, near the northern terminus of the Suez Canal.
  • Serves as a critical air gateway for the free-trade city.
• Infrastructure:
  • Single asphalt runway, 7,707 feet (2,349 meters) long.
  • Elevation: 8 feet (2 meters) above sea level.
• Capacity and Modernization:
  • Managed by the government, it underwent partial modernization in 2011 to support regional development and industrial expansion.

17. Taba International Airport

• Location and History:
  • Located on the Sinai Plateau, 13 km from Taba and 30 km from Taba Heights.
  • Originally built as Israel’s Etzion Air Force Base after the Six-Day War, it reverted to Egypt in 1979.
• Operations and Features:
  • Positioned near Israel and Jordan borders, offering visa-free access to select Egyptian areas for up to 14 days.
  • Single runway upgraded in 2000 and slated for modernization by the Thales Group in 2016.

18. El Kharga Local Airport

• Location and History:
  • Located in the New Valley Governorate, 7 km from Kharga city.
  • Built in 1962, expanded in 1989 and 1996.
• Capacity and Infrastructure:
  • Handles 100 passengers annually.
  • Features a single runway (designated 18/36), 3,500 meters long and 45 meters wide.
  • Equipped with night lighting for enhanced visibility.

19. Tur Sinai Local Airport

• Historical Significance:
  • Established in 1949 to serve pilgrims traveling to the Holy Kaaba.
  • Operated for general air traffic until 1967, reopened in 1984 for domestic flights.
• Infrastructure and Capacity:
  • Two runways, each 3 km long, with night lighting equipped.
  • Annual passenger capacity of 100.
• Modernization:
  • Runways and aprons expanded in 1996, with the airport officially reopening in 2000.

Hotels Near Cairo International Airport: Convenient Stays for Travelers

If you’re looking for a convenient place to stay close to Cairo International Airport, there are plenty of excellent options that combine comfort, accessibility, and modern amenities. Here are some top-rated hotels near the airport:

1- Le Méridien Cairo Airport

Located just steps from Terminal 3, this 5-star hotel offers luxury, comfort, and direct airport access via a pedestrian bridge. It features elegant rooms, multiple dining options, and a rooftop pool to relax before or after your flight.

2- Novotel Cairo Airport

Just a short drive from the airport, Novotel is a great choice for business and leisure travelers. It provides comfortable rooms, a free airport shuttle, and facilities such as an outdoor pool, fitness center, and on-site dining.

3- Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Heliopolis

Situated in the nearby Heliopolis district, this upscale hotel is ideal for travelers who want to stay close to the airport while enjoying luxurious amenities. Guests can enjoy stylish rooms, a rooftop pool, and international cuisine at its restaurants.

4- JW Marriott Hotel Cairo

A 10-minute drive from the airport, this lavish hotel combines convenience with a resort-like experience. It boasts spacious rooms, a golf course, a private beach, and multiple dining options, making it perfect for a relaxing layover.

Airport Codes in Egypt

Here is a list of major airport codes in Egypt along with the corresponding cities and airports:

Major International Airports

1. CAI – Cairo International Airport (Cairo)
   Egypt’s largest and busiest airport, serving as the main hub for international and domestic flights.
2. HRG – Hurghada International Airport (Hurghada)
   A key gateway for tourists visiting the Red Sea resorts.
3. SSH – Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (Sharm El Sheikh)
   Serves the Sinai Peninsula, particularly popular with beachgoers and divers.
4. LXR – Luxor International Airport (Luxor)
   Ideal for travelers exploring the ancient temples and tombs of Luxor.
5. ASW – Aswan International Airport (Aswan)
   Serves visitors heading to southern Egypt and attractions like Abu Simbel.
6. ALY – Borg El Arab Airport (Alexandria)
   Primarily handles flights to and from Alexandria and the northern coast.
7. HBE – Borg El Arab International Airport (Alexandria)
   The primary airport for Alexandria, handling most of the region’s international traffic.
8. (RMF) – Marsa Alam International Airport
   A popular choice for those traveling to the southern Red Sea resorts.

Domestic and Regional Airports

• TCP – Taba International Airport (Taba)
  Used by travelers visiting Taba and surrounding Sinai resorts.
• ELT – El Tor Airport (El Tor)
  A regional airport serving South Sinai.
• ABS – Abu Simbel Airport (Abu Simbel)
  Primarily serves tourists visiting the famous temples of Abu Simbel.
• UVL – New Valley Airport (Kharga)
  Located in the western desert region.
• SKV – St. Catherine International Airport (St. Catherine)
  Ideal for those visiting Mount Sinai or St. Catherine’s Monastery.

Additional Airport Codes

• ATZ – Assiut Airport (Assiut)
• ASV – Asyut Airport (alternative to ATZ for Assiut)
• HMB – Sohag International Airport (Sohag)
• PSD – Port Said Airport (Port Said)

These airports ensure connectivity to Egypt’s key destinations for both international tourists and domestic travelers.