EGYPTAIR’s Story of Connection and Continuity

Amr Aly, Country Manager, EGYPTAIR

EGYPTAIR, one of the world’s oldest airlines and the first established in the Middle East and Africa, has been a symbol of trust, connectivity, and Egyptian hospitality since 1932. In an exclusive interaction with Diplomatist, Mr. Amr Aly, Country Manager – India, reflects on the airline’s remarkable journey of blending heritage with innovation in today’s competitive aviation landscape. From expanding operations in India through its Delhi–Cairo and Mumbai–Cairo services to championing sustainability and modernizing its fleet with next-generation aircraft, EGYPTAIR continues to strengthen the air bridge between India, Africa, and the Middle East. Mr. Aly discusses the airline’s strategic priorities, its collaboration with tourism authorities to promote Egypt’s cultural treasures beyond Cairo, and the shared warmth that defines the India–Egypt partnership.

 

1. EGYPTAIR is one of the oldest airlines in the world, with a legacy that dates back to 1932. How does the airline balance its heritage with innovation in today’s hyper-competitive aviation industry?

EGYPTAIR takes great pride in its heritage as one of the world’s oldest airlines, founded in 1932 and the first in the Middle East and Africa. Our legacy of trust and reliability continues to guide us, but we also embrace innovation to meet modern travellers’ needs. We have introduced next-generation aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A320 Neo, with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 737 MAX soon joining our fleet as part of our continued modernization plan. We have also upgraded our digital booking and check-in platforms and enhanced the overall passenger experience. EGYPTAIR offers Wi-Fi on board, ensuring passengers stay connected throughout their journey. For us, innovation builds upon tradition — blending Egyptian warmth and hospitality with technology and efficiency. This balance between our proud past and forward-looking vision keeps EGYPTAIR relevant and competitive in today’s aviation landscape.

2. EGYPTAIR has long been a bridge between continents. How do you see India fitting into EGYPTAIR’S broader strategy of connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Asia?

India plays a vital role in EGYPTAIR’s strategy of connecting Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America and Asia. With its dynamic economy and rapidly expanding aviation market, India offers strong potential for both tourism and trade. Our direct Delhi–Cairo service bridges South Asia with Africa and Europe through seamless one-stop connections across EGYPTAIR’s global network. This route not only links two ancient civilizations but also enhances business, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges. As India’s outbound travel continues to grow, EGYPTAIR sees the market as a cornerstone of its regional expansion strategy and remains committed to strengthening air connectivity between our regions.

3. As global air travel rebounds, how is EGYPTAIR positioning itself to capture the growing outbound tourism and business travel from India? Are there specific strategies tailored for the Indian traveller?

As global air travel regains momentum, EGYPTAIR is strategically positioned to serve the fast-growing outbound segment from India. The Delhi–Cairo service has received an encouraging response, reaffirming the strong travel interest between our two countries. We are working closely with key travel partners, MICE specialists, and tourism boards to curate experiences that blend Egypt’s timeless heritage with modern attractions.

To further strengthen engagement, we are facilitating a FAM trip in collaboration with one of India’s biggest consolidators, with active participation from EGYPTAIR staff, scheduled for the end of September. Additionally, we are rolling out a series of attractive promotions to celebrate the grand opening of the GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum). For Indian travellers, our focus is on comfort and connectivity — offering seamless links via Cairo to Europe, Africa, and North America, along with our hallmark Egyptian hospitality. India remains a priority market, and we are committed to deepening our engagement and expanding opportunities for leisure and business travel.

4. With Egypt emerging as a cultural and leisure destination for Indians, how closely does EGYPTAIR work with Egyptian tourism authorities to curate experiences that go beyond Cairo and the pyramids?

EGYPTAIR, in close partnership with Egyptian tourism authorities, is redefining the Indian traveller’s experience in Egypt—beyond Cairo and the iconic pyramids. Together, we guide visitors to gems like Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, and the Red Sea coast, blending culture, history, and leisure.

EGYPTAIR also plays a key role in supporting the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) to promote outbound tourism from India to Egypt, actively connecting the ETA with major consolidators and key stakeholders across the Indian travel market. Additionally, EGYPTAIR coordinated between the ETA and CNN Network 18 for a high-impact promotional campaign, featuring around 28 video spots per day for one week, coinciding with the grand opening of the GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum).

The recent opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on November 1, 2025—the world’s largest archaeological museum—adds a new dimension to these journeys. Home to over 100,000 artifacts, including Tutankhamun’s treasures, GEM is a game-changer for Egyptian tourism.

Our collaboration focuses on seamless, curated experiences—from family tours to adventure trips—ensuring Indian visitors explore Egypt’s full diversity. With GEM as a highlight, we are set to inspire a new wave of travellers to uncover the magic of Egypt.

5. EGYPTAIR currently operates four weekly flights from Delhi and five from Mumbai to Cairo, and you have publicly stated the ambition of moving towards daily services. Could you share the current status of that plan — what steps are being taken, what timelines you’re working with, and whether new routes beyond Delhi and Mumbai are under consideration?”

EGYPTAIR is deeply committed to strengthening connectivity between India and Egypt. Currently, we operate four weekly flights from Delhi and five from Mumbai to Cairo. We are pleased to share that a fifth flight from Delhi is expected to commence from the upcoming summer operations (Wednesday service), further enhancing travel convenience for passengers.

In addition, we are happy to announce the expansion of the existing codeshare agreement between EGYPTAIR and Air India, which will now connect four key domestic points — Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore — to Delhi, providing smoother onward connections to Cairo and beyond.
We are also in the expansion stage within the Indian market, introducing interline fares between EGYPTAIR and Air India to cover the rest of the domestic points across India.

Our goal is indeed to move towards daily services, and we are actively engaging with both Indian and Egyptian authorities, airports, and partners to assess demand, optimize schedules, and secure the necessary approvals. While timelines depend on regulatory processes and market dynamics, we are confident that daily operations will be achievable in the near future. In parallel, we are continuously evaluating opportunities to expand our network beyond Delhi and Mumbai, exploring other key Indian cities where there is strong potential for both business and leisure travel.

6. What steps is EGYPTAIR taking to align with green aviation goals, and how receptive are passengers to these initiatives?

Sustainability is at the heart of Egypt Air’s future vision. We have been steadily renewing our fleet with next-generation aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A320neo, both of which significantly reduce fuel burn and emissions. Beyond that, we are improving operational efficiency through smarter flight planning, digital processes, and waste-reduction measures across our network.

What is encouraging is that passengers today are very aware and supportive of such efforts. Many travellers actively prefer airlines that are investing in greener technologies, and we see that reflected in their feedback. For us, it is about striking the right balance — continuing to grow while ensuring our operations remain environmentally responsible and aligned with global sustainability goals.

7. Finally, on a personal note — having engaged so closely with India’s people and culture — what has been your most memorable experience here, and what do you think makes the India–Egypt connection truly special?

On a personal note, my journey in India has been truly remarkable. One of the most memorable experiences for me was leading the launch of EGYPTAIR’s Delhi–Cairo route in August 2023. This milestone allowed me to engage with India’s vibrant travel community—in not only Delhi and NCR, but also in cities such as Amritsar, Jaipur, Raipur, and many more. Each visit, whether for agent meetings, trade events, or cultural exchanges, left me deeply impressed by the warmth, professionalism, and open-mindedness of our Indian partners and friends.

As part of our CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives, we also visited an orphanage in Delhi, spending an evening with the children—playing cricket and other sports, sharing gifts, and enjoying high tea together. A heart-warming experience reflected EGYPTAIR’s belief in giving back to the community and spreading joy beyond business.

What makes the India–Egypt connection truly special is our shared spirit of hospitality, rich traditions, and mutual curiosity. Over the years, I have witnessed strong collaborations and genuine friendships flourish—not just between our airlines, but among individuals committed to mutual growth and understanding. These personal and professional bonds have enriched my experience in India, making it a chapter of my life that I will always cherish.