Egypt starts airport privatisation process

Egypt is seeking private companies to manage, operate and develop Hurghada International Airport as part of the government’s plan to privatise 11 airports.

Consortia and specialised companies have been given time to submit prequalification applications by February 12, the civil aviation ministry said in a statement.

In March the ministry partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank, to introduce public-private partnerships (PPPs) at 11 airports.

IFC is acting as the lead PPP transaction adviser for Hurghada International Airport.

The privatisation initiative falls under the country’s asset monetisation programme, which was launched in June 2023. It aims to leverage private sector financing for airport upgrades and expansions without burdening the national budget.  

Hurghada is the second busiest airport in Egypt, behind Cairo International Airport, and a major gateway for Red Sea tourism, Ahram Online reported, quoting civil aviation minister Sameh El-Hefny.

Further reading:

• Egypt to bring in private airport management
• Egypt partners with IFC for airport privatisation
• Egypt nears completion of airport privatisation plan

The IFC will develop a strategy for private sector participation in 10 other airports – Sphinx International, Sharm El Sheikh International, Borg El Arab International, Luxor International, Aswan International, Sohag International, Assiut, Abu Simbel, El Alamein International and Marsa Matruh.

Cairo had 15 million tourists in the first nine months of 2025, a 21 percent year-on-year increase, putting it on course to meet its year-end target of 18 million.

Tourist arrivals are forecast to reach 18.6 million in 2026, up 4.6 percent year on year, the Egyptian cabinet said this month, citing a report by the Fitch ratings agency.