Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s national carrier, EgyptAir, has announced an ambitious expansion plan for 2026 that will significantly broaden its international network and strengthen the country’s air connectivity with key global markets. The strategy includes launching new long-haul direct routes, increasing frequencies on existing services, and expanding the airline’s reach to approximately 85 international destinations from Cairo International Airport.
The expansion is designed to facilitate travel, reduce journey times, and support Egypt’s tourism and trade ambitions by improving direct access to major global hubs. Central to the plan is the continued modernization of EgyptAir’s fleet, which now includes modern, long-range aircraft capable of operating nonstop intercontinental flights more efficiently and comfortably.
Among the most prominent additions to the network is a planned direct route between Cairo and Los Angeles, scheduled to launch in May 2026. The service will be one of the longest nonstop routes in EgyptAir’s history and marks a significant step in strengthening air links between Egypt and the United States. The route is expected to serve the growing Egyptian community in North America while supporting tourism and business travel between the two countries.
In a further expansion of its North American presence, EgyptAir is also preparing to launch direct flights between Cairo and Chicago starting in June 2026. The route will initially operate with a limited number of weekly flights and is aimed at enhancing connectivity with the central United States, reducing reliance on transit routes through European airports, and offering passengers more direct travel options.
Regionally, EgyptAir has already begun implementing its expansion strategy. Since December 2025, the airline has been operating direct flights between Alexandria and Benghazi, with two weekly services designed to facilitate travel and commercial activity between Egypt and Libya. The route reflects broader efforts to strengthen regional ties and support mobility for passengers and business communities.
Beyond North America and the region, EgyptAir plans to expand its footprint across Europe and Africa. The airline is studying the launch of new destinations as well as increasing flight frequencies on existing routes, in line with demand growth and operational capacity. The objective is to transform Cairo International Airport into a more competitive global hub linking Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.
The expansion comes as Egypt seeks to capitalize on rising tourism flows and position itself as a key aviation crossroads. Direct long-haul services are seen as particularly important in attracting higher-spending tourists, facilitating trade, and improving the overall competitiveness of the national aviation sector.
With its 2026 plan, EgyptAir is signaling a renewed focus on network growth, fleet efficiency, and global connectivity. If implemented as planned, the expansion would mark one of the most significant phases of international growth in the airline’s recent history, reinforcing its role as a strategic carrier connecting Egypt to the world.
