Gov’t wants to shake up airport management: The government will soon launch aninternational tender for the management and operation of all the airports in the country, Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Abbas Helmy told CNBC Arabia.

The move comes amid a push to get more private sector players involved in the aviationsector: Madbouly first revealed the plan to invite private-sector players to manage the country's airport in November. Airports were also identified by the International Finance Corporation — the state's advisor for the privatization program — as one of four sectors it sees more attractive and lucrative.

Also on the government’s agenda: The ministry wants to increase passenger traffic at theHurghada and Sharm El Sheikh airports to 10 mn passengers this year, Abbas said. It is also looking into financing mechanisms for the construction of a new passenger terminal at Cairo International Airport (CAI).

A lot is underway at CAI: Cairo International Airport Company in August signed an MoU withinfrastructure consulting firm Aecom and tech security company Pangiam to work on the construction of a fourth terminal and upgrading the airport’s digital systems, as well as a consultancy agreement with Singapore’s Changi Airport to upgrade the airport. The government is also planning to double the capacity of the airport, with the new terminal set to accommodate an additional 30 mn passengers per year.

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