Cairo: Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli announced the arrival of the first Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft to join the EgyptAir fleet, marking a significant step within President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's vision to enhance the Egyptian aviation sector's efficiency. The announcement was made during a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to celebrate this major milestone.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the Airbus A350-900 is the first of 16 aircraft that will be delivered by Airbus in the coming years. Prime Minister Madbouli highlighted that these new additions to the fleet will empower EgyptAir to operate ultra-long-haul flights, extending their reach to the Western United States and the most distant regions of Northern and Eastern Asia.

Madbouli emphasized two foundational elements for the aviation development system: fleet modernization and infrastructure expansion. He noted that aviation is pivotal to Egypt's soft power and a crucial driver for international tourism. Given Egypt's geographical position, air travel is essential for the continent, differentiating it from Europe, where road and rail are more commonly used.

The Prime Minister stressed that modernizing national airlines and enhancing airport services are essential to achieving the state's objective of attracting 30 million tourists. He praised Cairo International Airport for reaching a record high of 111,200 daily passengers, stating that this achievement necessitates the swift completion of the new "Terminal 4" at Cairo Airport, as well as ongoing developments at Hurghada Airport and other regional facilities.

Madbouli reiterated that Egypt is carrying out a comprehensive plan to upgrade civil aviation services, supporting the tourism sector, which remains a crucial source of national revenue.