Arab News: Air connectivity between Egypt and the UAE is set to receive a boost after the two countries agreed to gradually expand bilateral air transport rights, giving airlines greater flexibility to increase services.
The memorandum of understanding, signed during the 11th ICAO Africa-Indian Ocean Aviation Week in Cairo, is aimed at strengthening direct air links, meeting rising travel demand and supporting passenger movement, trade and investment, Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation said.
The memorandum builds on a letter of intent signed by the two aviation authorities in April 2025 covering artificial intelligence, strategic planning and the exchange of expertise. That arrangement also provided for the establishment of a joint steering committee to oversee its implementation.
The agreement comes as the Middle East strengthens its role as a global aviation hub. The region’s airlines accounted for about 10 percent of global passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger-km, in 2025, handling more than 900 billion RPKs, driven by their extensive long-haul networks connecting Asia, Europe and Africa, according to the International Air Transport Association.
In a press release, the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation said: “The signing of the memorandum of understanding embodies the depth of Egyptian-Emirati relations and reflects the shared vision to enhance cooperation in civil aviation in a way that keeps pace with the rapid developments taking place in the air transport industry at the regional and international levels.”
Phased expansion
The memorandum calls for the gradual expansion of bilateral air transport rights, giving carriers from both countries greater flexibility to increase services as demand grows.
The ministry said it continues to expand Egypt’s air connectivity by updating bilateral agreements and strengthening cooperation with strategic partners.
Those efforts are intended to improve the efficiency of Egypt’s air transport system, increase the competitiveness of its airports, and support the country’s position as a regional aviation centre, according to the ministry.
The memorandum was signed by Sameh Fawzy, chairman of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, and Saif Al-Suwaidi, director general of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority.
Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny witnessed the signing, which took place during the second day of the 11th ICAO Africa-Indian Ocean Aviation Week in Cairo.
The ministry said Al-Suwaidi viewed the memorandum as reflecting the level of trust and coordination between the two civil aviation authorities and as an important step toward expanding cooperation.
It added that the agreement would support sustainable growth in air transport and help accommodate the continued increase in travel between Egypt and the UAE.
The International Civil Aviation Organization’s Africa-Indian Ocean Aviation Week is being held in Cairo from July 27 to 31.
The event brings together regional aviation officials to discuss aviation safety, security, sustainability, infrastructure development and regional cooperation across Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
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