Cairo International Airport recorded an increase in passenger and flight traffic in April 2025, with the total number of passengers reaching 2.62 million, while the total number of flights rose to 18,966, marking a strong recovery in Egypt’s aviation sector.

Departing passengers accounted for 1.28 million across 9,470 flights, representing an 8% increase in flight volume and a 12% rise in outbound passenger traffic compared to April 2024. On the arrivals side, 1.34 million passengers arrived on 9,496 flights, an increase of 7% in flight numbers and 8% in incoming passengers year-on-year.

This growth comes amid continued efforts to enhance air services and strengthen connectivity, with Cairo Airport expected to witness further increases in traffic ahead of the Hajj season.

The rise in passenger movement also reflects the airport’s ongoing infrastructure upgrades and deployment of modern technologies aimed at improving the travel experience.

Tourism Grows 25% in Q1 2025

Complementing the rise in air travel, Egypt’s tourism sector posted a 25% year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2025, with 3.9 million visitors, according to Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathi in an interview last week with Al-Sharq during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

The minister announced that 18,000 new hotel rooms are set to be added this year, reinforcing Egypt’s push to expand its hospitality capacity. The country received 15.7 million tourists in 2024, up 5% from the previous year, despite regional geopolitical challenges that continue to weigh on the tourism sector. Tourism revenues in 2024 neared $16 billion, underscoring the industry’s role as a critical source of foreign currency.

Fathi also unveiled a new international marketing campaign targeting eight European countries to diversify Egypt’s tourist base while preserving its traditional source markets. He projected an additional 8% increase in visitors by the end of 2025.

Earlier this month, the Tourism Ministry introduced new licensing regulations for “holiday apartments”—a new model of accommodation—aimed at accommodating growing demand. Egypt aims to double its tourist arrivals to 30 million by 2030 and raise annual tourism revenues to $24 billion, up from approximately $15 billion today.

To support this vision, the country plans to add over 200,000 hotel rooms within the next 3 to 4 years, increasing total capacity from the current 230,000 rooms. These expansions are part of a broader national strategy to strengthen tourism infrastructure, improve the quality of services, and tap into new international markets.