The three-day conference, which runs from 19 to 21 May, is being attended by more than 850 participants, including officials from airlines, airports, and ground handling companies.
Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny said hosting the event reflected international confidence in Egypt’s aviation sector as the country seeks to expand its role as a regional transport and logistics hub.
The conference is the first time Egypt has hosted the event since 2009.
Speaking at the opening session, El-Hefny said Egypt was investing in airport infrastructure, digital systems, and ground-handling services as air traffic grows across the region.
He said authorities were also expanding the use of automation and digital technologies in airport operations.
The event was attended by senior Egyptian officials and executives from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), including IATA Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security Nick Careen and Head of Ground Operations Monika Mejstrikova.
Ahmed Adel, chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, said EgyptAir was continuing to modernize equipment and introduce digital operational systems aimed at improving efficiency.
Careen said Egypt’s aviation market had the potential to grow faster than the global average, citing forecasts that project annual air travel demand growth of 3.4 percent through 2050.
He said continued infrastructure investment, lower operational costs, and environmental sustainability measures would be needed to support that growth.
Mejstrikova said the industry needed to focus on standardising procedures, modernizing ground support equipment, and expanding digital integration across airport operations.
The conference also includes an exhibition featuring technology and equipment used in airport ground handling and operations.
The conference is one of the aviation industry’s flagship global events focused on airport ground operations, safety, efficiency, digitalization, and sustainability. Hosted annually, the conference brings together airlines, airports, regulators, ground handling companies, aircraft manufacturers, and technology providers to discuss operational challenges and emerging trends in global aviation.
Over the past years, Egypt has increased investment in airport infrastructure, airline fleets, and logistics services in recent years as part of wider plans to boost tourism and transport connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
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