Cairo International Airport (1), situated approximately 15 kilometers northeast of the Egyptian capital, is the main and busiest airport in Egypt. Serving as a pivotal hub for EgyptAir and Nile Air, along with various other airlines, it boasts four terminals and holds a prominent position among Africa’s busiest airports in terms of total passengers. In 2023, the airport facilitated the travel of approximately 26 million passengers. Despite its significant status, Cairo Airport is the eighth largest in the Middle East. An interesting historical note reveals its origin as John Payne Field Air Force Base, constructed by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. This article will explore the multifaceted aspects of Cairo International Airport.
Cairo Airport has received mixed reviews from travelers (2),(3), with some expressing positive experiences while others faced numerous challenges. One German visitor in May 2023 found the airport functional and well-designed, especially appreciating the convenience of Terminal 3. However, a Canadian traveler in January 2024 described the departure experience as miserable, highlighting issues with luggage scans, passport checks, and unfriendly staff. Positive feedback came from a Dutch tourist in April 2023, who praised the airport’s organization, services, and good vibes.
Nevertheless, the majority of customers shared disappointing encounters. A Canadian traveler in December 2023 criticized the departure process, citing long queues, unhelpful authorities, and dirty restrooms. In March 2023, an American tourist, Ruth, faced challenges with lost luggage and encountered difficulties retrieving it, involving payment for assistance. Another American traveler in October 2023 expressed frustration with multiple security checkpoints and the confiscation of personal items. A Romanian visitor in September 2023 emphasized feeling mistreated and humiliated during a prolonged wait. Additionally, an August 2023 Canadian traveler experienced luggage loss, which they deemed unacceptable. A British tourist in the same month criticized the lack of reliable information, aggressive security screening, and unhelpful officials.
The distress continued in August 2023 for a UK traveler who endured detention, court proceedings, and payment demands, describing the experience as a lack of humanity. Another British customer echoed similar sentiments, expressing shock at the unprofessionalism, bribery, and overall lack of respect during their August 2023 visit. These diverse experiences highlight the need for improvements at Cairo Airport to enhance traveler satisfaction and ensure a more positive impression of Egypt.
After more than four decades of traveling through Cairo Airport, my experiences could fill a medium-sized book. However, let us focus on three unique and somewhat frustrating aspects that reflect facets of the local culture.
First, there is the strange phenomenon of passengers opening the overhead luggage compartments as soon as the plane lands, completely ignoring instructions to remain seated until the plane comes to a complete stop.
Second, the corridor leading to the immigration officers’ desks is a bizarre sight, with a number of men standing around holding papers with poorly handwritten names on them, loudly calling out those names to help speed up the customs and immigration process.
Third, there is chaos when exiting customs, with many men of different ages aggressively offering taxi services, highlighting the lack of clear organization of transportation at the airport.
It was dawn when I left the airport, and I noticed a group of passenger buses full of workers heading to their jobs at the airport. I was surprised by the large number of workers crowded at the airport gate. I could not help but wonder: Is there really a need for all these workers? How do they manage to find jobs in a country struggling with unemployment? I also thought about the connection between working in such a profitable place like the airport and the rumors of corruption and nepotism in Egypt. As I watched the scene, I quietly said to myself, “Building structures doesn’t create successful businesses—skilled workers do.”
Sources
1. Cairo International Airport.
2. Customer reviews of Cairo Airport on Skytrax.
https://www.airlinequality.com/airport-reviews/cairo-airport
3. Customer reviews of Cairo Airport on TripAdvisor.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1-d8729067-r692405687-EGYPTAIR-World.html