The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt have signed a landmark five-year aviation agreement to gradually expand bilateral air traffic rights through 2031, paving the way for increased flight frequencies, stronger airline capacity and enhanced tourism, trade and investment between the two countries.
According to Connecting Travel, the phased agreement was concluded on the sidelines of the 11th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) AFI Week in Cairo and establishes a framework for the gradual expansion of air services in response to growing passenger demand. The initiative is expected to create new commercial opportunities for airlines while deepening aviation cooperation between two of the Middle East’s busiest air travel markets.
Speaking on the agreement, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said the phased expansion of air traffic rights would support the aviation sector, promote tourism, stimulate economic activity and investment, and further strengthen the longstanding economic partnership between the UAE and Egypt. The agreement was signed by Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, and Captain Sameh Fawzy, President of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA). Egyptian aviation officials described the accord as a significant milestone that will enable both countries to respond to rising travel demand while reinforcing their positions as major regional aviation hubs.
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The expanded air services framework builds on an already robust aviation relationship. Airlines including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia, EgyptAir and Nile Air currently operate multiple daily flights linking major cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Cairo, as well as several secondary destinations. The enhanced agreement is expected to increase capacity further, improve passenger choice and facilitate smoother travel between the two nations. Industry analysts believe the agreement will deliver significant benefits for the tourism sector by making travel more accessible and supporting rising visitor numbers in both countries. It is also expected to strengthen business travel, encourage foreign investment and improve cargo connectivity, reinforcing the strategic economic relationship between the UAE and Egypt.
The aviation deal comes as Egypt continues to invest heavily in its tourism and airport infrastructure. From August 2026, Cairo International Airport is set to introduce a digital visa-on-arrival system using QR codes across all terminals, replacing traditional visa stickers in an effort to streamline passenger processing and enhance the visitor experience. The initiative follows a record tourism performance in 2025, when Egypt generated more than US$18 billion in tourism revenue.
With the new five-year agreement in place, both governments expect stronger aviation links to serve as a catalyst for sustained growth in tourism, trade and economic cooperation, while positioning the UAE and Egypt as even more connected gateways for travellers across the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
