Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Source: Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation
Egypt and South Korea deepen aviation ties at global air transport conference
Incheon, South Korea — Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, participated in the International Cooperation on Air Transport Conference (CIAT 2025), held on July 24-25 in Incheon, South Korea.
The event, hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, brought together aviation ministers, senior officials, and industry leaders from around the globe, including representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The conference focused on fostering international cooperation, exchanging expertise, and addressing pressing issues in the aviation sector—ranging from enhancing customs and immigration procedures to combating human trafficking and illegal migration. Participants also discussed leveraging artificial intelligence in airport management and ensuring the safe transport of hazardous materials.
In his keynote address, Dr. El-Hefny thanked the South Korean government for its warm hospitality and emphasized the complexity of current global aviation challenges, calling for coordinated international strategies and increased investment in smart technologies and innovation.
Highlighting Egypt’s strategic vision, Dr. El-Hefny reviewed plans to expand Cairo International Airport’s capacity to 60 million passengers annually through the development of a new terminal, and to liberalize regional airports for better global connectivity and enhanced tourism. He underscored ongoing efforts to involve the private sector in operating 11 key airports, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), without placing additional burdens on the public budget.
Dr. El-Hefny also reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to sustainable aviation with initiatives such as transforming Borg El Arab Airport into the country’s first environmentally friendly airport and promoting sustainable aviation fuel production, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030 for sustainable development.
On the sidelines of the conference, Dr. El-Hefny held bilateral talks with his South Korean counterpart, Park Sang-woo. The two ministers explored opportunities for greater cooperation in smart airport development and sustainable aviation investment, and discussed updating the bilateral air transport agreement to reflect industry changes, with an emphasis on digital transformation and the broader adoption of clean energy across airports.
Dr. El-Hefny invited Korean companies to participate in Egypt’s airport and aviation development efforts, highlighting the attractive investment climate offered by the country. In response, Minister Park lauded Egypt’s advancements in infrastructure and operational efficiency, expressing South Korea’s keen interest in sharing its expertise and expanding collaboration, particularly in the field of smart technologies.
Established in 2004 and held every three years, the CIAT Conference is one of the leading global forums for air transport cooperation, regulatory best practices, and technological innovation, aiming to keep pace with the rapid changes shaping the future of global aviation.