Lusaka: Cairo International Airport and Hurghada International Airport have won top honors at the Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Region Environmental and Sustainability Awards 2024, marking a significant international achievement for Egypt’s aviation sector. Borg El Arab Airport in Alexandria also received special recognition for its outstanding recycling initiatives.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the awards were presented during the official gala dinner of the 34th ACI Africa Annual General Assembly and the 74th Board of Directors Meeting, held in Lusaka, Zambia, under the theme “Empowering African Airports for Strategic Growth.” Cairo International Airport was named winner of the “Leadership in Sustainability for Hub Airports” award, while Hurghada International Airport received the Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL) award. Borg El Arab Airport was commended for its notable contributions to sustainable waste recycling.
This recognition reflects the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation’s strategic commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship, as well as its continued efforts to improve operational efficiency and implement international best practices at Egyptian airports. In a statement on Friday, ACI Africa praised the significant strides made by the three airports in environmental protection, adherence to sustainability principles, and the implementation of effective environmental management systems. The organization also highlighted their successful sustainability initiatives in line with global environmental goals.
Ayman Arafa, Chairman of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, stated that the awards underscore the ongoing efforts of Egyptian airports to embed sustainability across all operations. He underlined that environmental responsibility is a fundamental pillar of the company’s strategy, which focuses on energy efficiency, waste management, carbon emissions reduction, and fostering environmental awareness among both staff and travelers.
Arafa congratulated the leadership of Cairo Airport Company, the Egyptian Airports Company (EAC), and all employees whose efforts contributed to this significant achievement. He noted that this recognition serves as a strong motivation to continue advancing toward a more sustainable and eco-conscious future. This international recognition reinforces the pivotal role Egyptian airports play in positioning Egypt as a regional and global hub committed to environmental responsibility. It further shed light on the country’s ability to balance operational growth with sustainability, paving the way toward greener, more eco-friendly airports in Africa. Egypt was the only country to have multiple airports honored at this year’s ACI Africa awards.