Egypt Travco Group to launch a new airline by next November

Speaking to Asharq, El-Shiti said the airline will begin operations with three aircraft and gradually expand its fleet to 20 planes within its first five years.

The move comes as Egypt’s tourism industry continues a strong rebound in 2026, supported by improved security conditions, competitive travel costs linked to the depreciation of the Egyptian pound, and renewed international attention following the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum late last year.

Egypt is targeting approximately 21 million visitors this year, up from around 19 million tourists in 2025. According to Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, the country welcomed roughly 5.6 million tourists during the first quarter of 2026, a 43.5% increase compared with the same period a year earlier. Fathy also told Asharq that tourism revenues between January and March approached $5.1 billion.

El-Shiti said the new carrier will focus primarily on charter operations serving several destinations across Europe as well as eastern and western markets, helping drive inbound tourism to Egypt. The airline’s fleet will consist entirely of Airbus aircraft configured with between 180 and 220 seats.

Egypt’s aviation sector recorded significant growth last year, with passenger traffic at the country’s airports climbing 22.3% to 28 million travelers, compared with 22.9 million in 2024. Flight activity also increased to nearly 210,000 operations from 174,000 a year earlier. During the first quarter of 2026, passenger traffic rose another 9.5% to 8.1 million travellers despite ongoing regional instability.

Middle East instability could delay the launch
According to El-Shiti, the airline will be fully owned by Travco Group without outside partners. Initial operations are expected to be based at major Egyptian leisure gateways including Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport, Marsa Alam International Airport and Matrouh airports, reflecting current tourism demand patterns.

He added that licensing procedures are still underway and are expected to be completed within 80 to 90 days, subject to civil aviation regulatory approvals.

El-Shiti also cautioned that broader challenges facing the global aviation industry could delay the airline’s launch. He pointed to concerns over a possible aviation fuel shortage in Europe beginning in June due to disruptions in oil supply chains and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

He warned that the situation could reduce flight availability and create unstable operating conditions, making it difficult for a new airline to begin service under such uncertainty.