Egypt will launch its new Sphinx International Airport (SPX) in Giza near the pyramids by mid-July as it is now 90 percent completed, said Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Manar in a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. "The airport, which will allow the operation of domestic and international flights, is expected to lighten pressure from Cairo International Airport. It also will help in encouraging one-day tourist programmes, and smoothing the movement of exports," Minister Manar said. "The significance of the project given the upcoming official opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) overlooking the Giza Plateau." Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly highlighted during the meeting. The new airport works for the residents of Greater Cairo districts of 6 October and Sheikh Zayed, in addition to the governorates of Fayoum and Beni Suef. Egypt has improved the airport, which was officially launched in January 2020, targeting to receive tourists coming to visit the pyramids and GEM. Minister Manar said that the SPX's total size has increased to 24,000 square metres and it carrying capacity per hour has increased to 900 passengers. Egypt has heightened efforts to refresh tourism — a major origin of foreign currency for Egypt — and diminish the impact of following global crises on this sector, including the current Russia-Ukraine's war.
