Cairo International Airport has set a new benchmark in its storied history by achieving record passenger traffic, as announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation. On Thursday, January 2, the airport saw its highest daily traffic since its inception in 1963, handling an impressive 97,000 passengers in a single day. This included 47,700 arrivals and 49,300 departures, distributed across 667 flights.
The remarkable surge in passenger numbers is a testament to the airport’s growing significance as a key hub in regional and international travel. In 2024 alone, Cairo International Airport accommodated over 28.775 million passengers on 211,664 flights. This marks a notable increase from 2023, where the airport managed 26.463 million passengers and 198,943 flights, illustrating a robust growth trajectory in both passenger volume and flight operations.
Industry analysts have noted this growth as a positive indicator of the Egyptian aviation sector’s recovery and expansion. According to aviation expert Dr. Ahmed Hassan, “The continuous increase in traffic at Cairo International Airport is a reflection of Egypt’s strategic investments in modernizing its aviation infrastructure and enhancing service quality to meet global standards.”
Furthermore, the Egyptian airports collectively recorded a total of 22.097 million passengers in 2024, reflecting a 9% growth compared to the previous year’s 20.276 million passengers. The total number of flights also experienced a 3% rise, reaching 167,684 flights compared to 162,773 in 2023.
The airport’s stellar performance is seen as part of a broader trend in the region, with Middle Eastern airlines and airports experiencing increased connectivity and passenger demand. Exclusive insights from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reveal that the Middle East is projected to witness a continued rise in air travel demand, supported by strategic geographic positioning and growing tourism and business sectors.