Is this the “positive news” on aviation privatization that Madbouly told us to look out for? Hassan Allam Holding and France’s Groupe Aéroports de Paris (ADP France) have submitted a joint proposal to manage and operate Egyptian airports, according to a cabinet statement. The alliance aims to increase airport capacity, facilitate passenger and cargo movement, and boost airport efficiency. The announcement follows Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly’s comments last week that “positive news” on the government’s airport privatization plans was imminent.

Remember: The Madbouly government first revealed plans last November to invite private sector players — including foreign companies — to take over the management of airports in the country in order to improve services and increase revenues collected by the state coffers. Momentum has been gaining around the project in the last couple of months, with the government announcing in October that the first phase of the private sector offering would include Cairo International Airport, Sphinx International Airport, El Alamein International Airport, Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, and Hurghada International Airport.

This isn’t ADP France’s first time in Egypt: ADP deputy general director Xavier Hurstel noted that ADP France had previously collaborated with the Egyptian government to improve its airports in the early 2000s.

Next steps: The Egyptian-French alliance will hold a series of workshops with the Civil Aviation Ministry to further discuss the partnership, allowing both sides to “clearly present their visions regarding potential partnerships and the progress of consultations on the airport offering plan.”

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