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Egypt airports on high alert for GEM Opening

Businessmen Team news 31 October 2025 12:00 PM
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Egypt airports on high alert for GEM Opening

Ministry of Civil Aviation has completed comprehensive preparations to receive official delegations and guests from around the world participating in the historic inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on Saturday, November 1, an event that celebrates the grandeur of Egypt’s ancient civilization.

The Ministry is implementing an integrated operational plan at both Sphinx International Airport (SPX) and Cairo International Airport (CAI), in full coordination with various ministries and concerned authorities. Field teams, comprising senior Ministry leaders and subsidiary companies, have been formed to oversee the plan's execution, ensuring the highest levels of accuracy, seamlessness, and integration among all parties to present the event in a manner befitting Egypt's stature and international leadership.

The opening ceremonies of the GEM will be broadcast live on screens across CAI, SPX, and all Egyptian airports. Arrival and departure halls will share the atmosphere of this historic national event, coinciding with the celebration at the Pyramids plateau, in a scene reflecting Egyptians' pride in this great achievement.

Sphinx International Airport, the closest air gateway to the museum's location, has seen extensive upgrades to its halls and service areas, and updates to its security and technological systems. The airport's interior designs prominently feature a visual identity inspired by ancient Egyptian civilization. Furthermore, large screens have been installed inside the departure hall—a first for Egyptian airports—to easily inform passengers of their flights. The VIP lounge has been developed, and a dedicated apron has been allocated for official and private aircraft, ensuring smooth aircraft movement and welcoming guests in an atmosphere commensurate with the event’s global significance.

Simultaneously, Cairo International Airport has raised its readiness to the maximum degree across all terminals (1, 2, 3, and 4) to receive VIPs, official delegations, and guests. This involved executing a comprehensive development plan, including setting up dedicated counters for arriving delegations and displaying multilingual informational banners about the GEM. Additional working groups across all specialities have been formed to streamline arrival and departure procedures for the participating delegations, notably increasing the number of hall coordinators and public relations staff within the terminals to secure operations and provide immediate support as needed. This integrated plan reflects the civil aviation sector's readiness and efficiency in managing major events. A documentary about the museum is also being shown on airport screens, and the giant 5D screen outside Terminal 2 will broadcast the opening ceremonies live.

Dr. Sameh ElHefny, Minister of Civil Aviation, affirmed that the opening of the GEM represents a historic moment embodying Egypt’s greatness and civilization. He indicated that the Ministry’s participation is part of its national role to provide an exceptional travel experience for guests from all over the world.

ElHefny explained that SPX has become a model for modern airports close to major tourist destinations, designed to be a civilized facade worthy of the museum's grandeur and Egypt's international standing. He stressed that the efforts reflect the spirit of cooperation among state agencies to present a dignified image to the world.

The Minister also underscored the vital role of Air Navigation in ensuring the regularity of air traffic through Egyptian airspace, noting that the air navigation system is a key pillar in supporting the smooth flow of flights and coordinating air traffic with high efficiency, guaranteeing continuous safety and security 24/7.

The Minister further mentioned that EgyptAir is the official carrier for the celebration, highlighting its pivotal role and national importance in major events and its support for the organizational and coordination efforts. The airline is transporting and receiving a number of official participating delegations on its flights and providing all means of comfort for Egypt’s guests. Additionally, it is running a promotional and advertising campaign about the museum and its cultural value on its fleet and through its domestic and foreign offices.

He concluded by stressing that the Ministry operates under an integrated vision that prioritizes passenger comfort and ensures that Egyptian airports are civilized gateways reflecting the progress the state has achieved in air transport, navigation, logistics, and tourism sectors.