Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation is about to roll out a brand new passport card system at airports by the tip of January 2025, aiming to hurry up journey procedures and cut back ready instances for departing and arriving passengers, the minister mentioned in a tv cellphone interview with Sada El Balad on Sunday, 4 January.
The passport card was beforehand a well-known a part of journey to and from Egypt. The paper type was normally handed out on flights or at airport halls and required passengers to fill in primary private and journey particulars, together with passport data, flight quantity, and vacation spot.
Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny mentioned the system will simplify passport checks and enhance passenger stream, significantly throughout peak journey durations. The transfer is a part of a broader plan to modernize airport providers and improve vacationers’ total expertise.
El-Hefny added the Cupboard lately reviewed progress on the pilot implementation of an built-in digital visa system, which is designed to facilitate vacationer entry and help Egypt’s aviation and tourism sectors.
The discussions additionally lined emergency visa procedures, together with dashing up visa issuance for vacationers upon arrival, to make sure smoother journey during times of disruption.
As a part of the plan, El-Hefny mentioned new baggage-handling requirements will probably be utilized throughout Egyptian airports, with the primary bag anticipated to succeed in passengers inside 20 minutes of arrival and the ultimate bag inside 40 minutes, even throughout peak operations.
He mentioned the federal government additionally plans to supply round 11 airports for personal sector administration, stressing that the transfer goals to enhance operational effectivity quite than promote state belongings. A number of worldwide alliances have expressed curiosity, with choices to be primarily based on technical and operational standards.
El-Hefny famous that Cairo Worldwide Airport is dealing with a mean of round 106,000 passengers every day, prompting ongoing research into future growth, together with a proposed Terminal 4.
He added that vacationer locations reminiscent of Sharm El-Sheikh and Marsa Alam have seen elevated visitors, with flights to Marsa Alam rising by round 20 p.c.
The measures come as a part of Egypt’s wider push to improve digital infrastructure at airports, entice worldwide visitors, and strengthen the nation’s place as a regional aviation and tourism hub.
Elevate your perspective with NextTech Information, the place innovation meets perception.
Uncover the most recent breakthroughs, get unique updates, and join with a world community of future-focused thinkers.
Unlock tomorrow’s developments right this moment: learn extra, subscribe to our e-newsletter, and grow to be a part of the NextTech neighborhood at NextTech-news.com

