Egypt’s Civil Aviation Ministry has opened bids for private companies to manage, operate, and develop Hurghada International Airport, the country’s second-largest airport and a key gateway to Red Sea tourism.This move is the first step in a broader plan to privatize operations at 11 major airports across the country. The bid process is open to both individual companies and consortia of commercial entities, signaling Egypt’s push towards enhancing airport operations through public-private partnerships. The government is seeking expertise and investment to improve efficiency, service quality, and competitiveness within the aviation sector. This initiative aligns with Egypt’s goal to boost economic returns from its airports, as it continues to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
Earlier this year, Egypt enlisted the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, to support its efforts in fostering private investment in airport infrastructure. According to the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, the country’s airports handled over 50 million passengers in 2024, underscoring the importance of the sector to Egypt’s economy. This privatization effort reflects Egypt’s broader economic reforms, as it seeks to attract more foreign investment and streamline its infrastructure for future growth.
