File Photo: Arrival and Departure documentation. Photo courtesy of Social media.
The move is part of a broader government effort to shift to digital systems, aimed at simplifying travel procedures, reducing processing times, and improving passenger movement through airport terminals.
Civil Aviation Minister Sameh Elhefny noted that the decision reflects a clear policy to improve services for travellers and increase operational efficiency in line with global aviation trends.
The ministry said the system will be gradually introduced at other airports across the country in the next phase.
Elhefny also praised the role of security authorities, highlighting their coordination in implementing the measure, which he said reflects a joint effort to modernize airport operations.
In many countries, paper landing cards have been gradually phased out over the past two decades, replaced by passport-based border checks and electronic passenger data systems.
The United Kingdom phased them out in 2019, abolishing landing cards and relying instead on eGates, passport checks, and advance passenger information, managed by the UK Border Force.
Across Europe, Schengen countries began removing paper cards earlier. Nordic and Western European states phased them out between 2008 and 2011, followed by southern and eastern members by the mid-2010s.
By 2015, paper arrival and departure cards had effectively disappeared across the Schengen Area, as border authorities shifted to biometric passports, airline data, and national databases.
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