On the last Saturday of October, Hurghada Airport set a new record for both flights and passengers. According to the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram, the terminals handled 389 takeoffs and landings over the course of the day and accommodated 67,000 people. The previous peak, recorded a year earlier, was surpassed by 18.3 per cent in passenger numbers and by 8.7 per cent in the number of flights.
The rise is attributed to the start of the winter tourist season. Roughly half of the passengers that day were arriving at the resort, while the other half were departing. The inflow of arriving passengers grew by 24.1 per cent, placing additional strain on passport control and baggage reclaim. The airport administration advises those departing from Hurghada in the coming days to arrive three to three and a half hours before their flight.
Egypt's Minister of Civil Aviation, Sameh El-Hefny, described these figures as a reflection of high demand for Egyptian resorts.
The record performance of Hurghada Airport confirms the appeal of our resorts on the international market. Developing infrastructure and improving operational efficiency remain our priorities, so that every tourist feels comfortable and safe from the moment of landing to the flight home.
— Sameh El-Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation of Egypt
Other airports in the country, in particular those in Sharm El-Sheikh and Marsa Alam, are also preparing for an increase in the number of tourists and are undergoing modernisation.
Letters