File Photo: Cairo International Airport. Ahram.
The project's cost has been estimated at $4.5 billion, he added.
El-Hefny, who was speaking to TV host Amr Adeeb, also noted that the new terminal will accommodate 30 to 40 million passengers.
He explained that Terminals 1, 2, and 3 combined currently handle 28 million passengers. Once Terminal 4 is completed, El-Hefny added, the airport's overall capacity will reach 65 million passengers.
Established in 1932, CAI is one of the largest airports in the Middle East and Africa. In 2024, the airport served over 27.7 million passengers and handled 211,600 flights.
El-Hefny highlighted the importance of partnerships with the private sector in operating airports.
"We need to use the private sector and specialised companies' tools, systems, and mechanisms in managing airports."
He acknowledged that CAI currently handles more passengers than it was designed for.
"Although designed to handle 28 million passengers, CAI now handles 29 million 500 thousand passengers."
During the interview, El-Hefny noted that CAI currently generates EGP 16 billion in annual profits. He strongly denied that Egypt intends to sell its airports.
"Our Egyptian airports are not for sale and will never be sold… they will remain a sovereign asset of the state," he stressed.
Upgrades across various facilities
El-Hefny said the contract with the former ground service company has been terminated.
"A new company will take over. But we want people to help us end the culture of tips," he said.
Furthermore, El-Hefny stressed that the airport is undergoing significant developments, including "e-gates, reducing waiting times at customs, obviating the need to fill an arrival card, and reducing unnecessary inspection procedures."
He said EGP 300 million has been allocated to modernise restrooms, improve accessibility, and upgrade lounges. New technology will be introduced, including self-check-in.
Fleet renewal is also on the agenda, El-Hefny noted.
"Twenty-eight new aircraft are entering service starting this December for two years. We are also working on renewing cabins and redesigning the older planes."
Moreover, El-Hefny explained that the ministry has resorted to using two new limousine car providers to resolve the issue of transportation to and from the airport. He added that the ministry is also studying applying a model similar to that of Uber.
El-Hefny highlighted that a study is currently being conducted to explore the possibility of extending the metro to Terminal 4. The ministry was also studying the implementation of the Sea Land Project and the establishment of Cargo City and connecting it with nearby ports such as Suez Port and Ain Sokhna Port, he added.
EgyptAir in the spotlight
El-Hefny attributed EgyptAir's inability to match the level of Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines to historical reasons.
He noted, however, that EgyptAir's financial position is improving.
"This year, losses will decrease from EGP 30 billion to EGP 13 billion, with a goal to eliminate them completely within four years. EgyptAir ranked 68th globally in the prestigious Skytrax world ranking in 2024. This is the first time EgyptAir appears on the Skytrax stage."
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