Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt and South Korea discuss new partnerships to modernize Egyptian airports
In a move to reinforce Egypt’s emerging status as a regional aviation hub, Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Sameh El-Hefny, met with Chai Woo Lee, CEO and Head of Global Investment & Consulting Group at Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), accompanied by a high-level delegation at the Ministry’s headquarters in Cairo.
The meeting, attended by several top Egyptian civil aviation officials, focused on opportunities for expanding international partnerships aimed at upgrading and operating Egyptian airports. The Korean delegation shared an in-depth overview of IIAC’s global experience in managing and developing major airports—including Incheon International Airport in Seoul and Istanbul International Airport—and highlighted its achievements in creating vibrant investment zones and forming successful partnerships with both governments and the private sector across more than 30 international airports worldwide.
Minister El-Hefny emphasized the depth and ongoing growth of Egyptian-Korean relations, underlining the importance of closer cooperation in civil aviation to advance the interests of both countries. He noted that Egypt’s civil aviation sector is currently undergoing unprecedented expansion, necessitating strategic partnerships with leading international institutions experienced in airport infrastructure development.
Revealing key steps in Egypt’s aviation vision, Dr. El-Hefny announced that the Ministry is preparing, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to open up 11 airports for private sector management and operation. The first project will focus on Hurghada International Airport, which is expected to be offered to private operators by the end of the year. This initiative is part of a comprehensive plan to modernize Egypt’s airport infrastructure and boost operational performance, thereby enhancing the aviation sector's overall competitiveness.
The Minister affirmed Egypt’s commitment to attracting global investment, upgrading passenger services, and increasing airport capacity to meet the anticipated surge in air travel and tourism. He highlighted that these steps are integral to a wider strategy to increase the private sector’s role in the development and operation of Egyptian airports.
Chai Woo Lee expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to present IIAC’s expertise, praising Egypt’s vast potential to become both a regional and global aviation powerhouse. He reaffirmed IIAC’s readiness to support Egypt with operational consulting, airport development, and investment partnerships that can contribute to the country’s economic growth and enhance its international competitiveness. Mr. Lee looked forward to deepening constructive collaboration between the two sides.
This dialogue marks a significant step in Egypt’s strategic journey to modernize its aviation infrastructure, strengthen international partnerships, and reinforce its position as a gateway between Africa, the Middle East, and the world.