Photo: Hurghada International Airport official website
Qualified consortia and specialized companies were invited to submit applications for prequalification in the tender, the ministry said. The initiative is part of a broader state-asset privatization and partnership program launched in June 2023, with advisory support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Hurghada, Egypt’s second-busiest airport and a major gateway for Red Sea tourism, was chosen as the program’s starting point, according to Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny. He added that upgrading the airport is essential to improving operational efficiency and expanding capacity to meet rising demand.
The partnership model keeps full state ownership of airport assets. The selected private partner will oversee development and operations under regulated conditions.
Egyptian airports handled more than 50 million passengers across nearly 400,000 flights in 2024, with Hurghada leading the country in passenger traffic, according to the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation. The airport welcomed roughly 10.5 million passengers in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, a 22 percent increase from the previous year.
The IFC is advising the government on the Hurghada project and on the nationwide airport partnership strategy.
It will serve as lead adviser for all 11 airports planned for private-sector operation: Hurghada International, Sphinx International, Sharm El Sheikh International, Alexandria International, Luxor International, Aswan International, Sohag International, Assiut, Abu Simbel, El Alamein, and Marsa Matruh airports.
The programme aims to enhance passenger services, expand capacity, and attract private investment to help Egypt reach its target of 30 million tourists annually by 2030.
Short link: