Egypt and Qatar Forge Closer Ties to Boost Air Traffic and Aviation Cooperation

Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh al-Hefny emphasized the critical need for ongoing collaboration among Arab nations to navigate regional challenges, especially concerning developments impacting civil aviation traffic. He highlighted that joint efforts and pooled resources are fundamental to ensuring the safety and efficiency of air transport.

Al-Hefny shared these insights during a meeting on Sunday, November 1, 2026, with Qatar’s Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani, Qatar’s Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Thani, and their respective delegations. The gathering was also attended by Civil Aviation Authority President Sameh Fawzy and Ministry of Civil Aviation Director General of International Relations Lamia Sami.

The discussions were framed within the context of the strong fraternal relations between Egypt and Qatar and their mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation in air transport. Key topics included strengthening coordination between the civil aviation authorities of both countries, developing mechanisms to support and increase air traffic between them, and facilitating the exchange of technical and operational expertise. The aim is to improve the air transport system, boost its efficiency, and open avenues for future collaboration.

Minister al-Hefny noted the continuous progress in Egyptian-Qatari relations, identifying civil aviation as a promising sector for deepening bilateral cooperation. He indicated that the ministry is actively pursuing expanded cooperation and has commissioned a study to explore the feasibility of increasing air traffic between the two nations.

In response, the Qatari minister expressed his appreciation for the fraternal ties between Egypt and Qatar. He affirmed Qatar's strong interest in enhancing cooperation with Egypt and its desire to increase air traffic, which he believes will bolster growing travel, tourism, and trade exchanges. He added that this would allow both countries to better leverage their respective air transport capabilities. He concluded by stating Qatar's eagerness to continue coordinating with the relevant Egyptian authorities to achieve further advancements in their areas of cooperation.