Egypt’s civil aviation minister has presented airport energy efficiency, emissions reduction and climate resilience as central elements of the country’s aviation development strategy. Sameh El-Hefny was speaking at the opening of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Green Airports Symposium, where he linked the environmental performance of airports to the continued growth of global air traffic.
El-Hefny said the sector faced the challenge of expanding connectivity while reducing its environmental impact. He identified improved operational efficiency, lower carbon emissions, more effective use of resources and stronger resilience to climate change as priorities for civil aviation infrastructure.
The minister’s remarks placed airports at the centre of Egypt’s approach to the green transition. The measures described include infrastructure modernisation, changes to operating practices, improvements in energy and resource efficiency, and the use of systems intended to make environmental performance more measurable.
Cairo reports lower energy use despite traffic growth
Cairo International Airport reduced total energy consumption by 4% while passenger traffic increased by more than 9%, according to figures highlighted by El-Hefny. The airport recorded a 12.2% improvement in energy efficiency per passenger.
| Measure | Reported result |
|---|---|
| Total energy consumption at Cairo International Airport | Down 4% |
| Passenger traffic growth | More than 9% |
| Energy efficiency per passenger | Improved by 12.2% |
| Solar generation capacity | Approximately 4 megawatts |
| Estimated annual solar generation | 6.4 million kilowatt-hours |
Cairo’s programme also includes solar generation, smart building-management systems and energy-efficient lighting. The airport is expanding digital transformation, while water and waste-management measures are intended to reduce the environmental footprint of its operations. Its solar capacity has reached approximately 4 megawatts, with estimated annual production of 6.4 million kilowatt-hours.
Measures extend to other Egyptian airports
Sustainability measures are also being incorporated into airport development elsewhere in the country. The new passenger terminal at Borg El Arab International Airport includes a solar-energy system with capacity of approximately 1.5 megawatts. The terminal’s environmental provisions also include energy conservation, water treatment and water-reuse systems.
Hurghada International Airport is participating in the “Green Hurghada” initiative in co-operation with Egypt’s Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). The initiative was cited alongside the measures at Cairo and Borg El Arab as part of wider sustainability activity across Egypt’s airport network.
The programme presented at the ICAO symposium combines energy projects with operational and resource-management measures. El-Hefny’s comments also connected those actions with the wider requirement for airports to remain resilient as climate-related environmental challenges increase, while continuing to support air transport growth.
- Cairo International Airport reported a 4% reduction in total energy consumption despite passenger growth of more than 9%.
- Solar capacity at Cairo has reached approximately 4 megawatts, with estimated annual generation of 6.4 million kilowatt-hours.
- Borg El Arab and Hurghada airports are also involved in energy, water and environmental initiatives.
