Cairo International Airport history started in the forties of the last century when the American Bayn Field air-force base established five kilometers far from Almaza Airport to serve the Alliance during the Second World War. The American forces left the base by the end of the war.

Firstly in 1945, the Civil Aviation Authority took over the base and allocated it to the International Civil Aviation. The Airport called “King Farouk 1^st Airport”. In the meantime, Almaza Airport dedicated to the domestic flights.

Secondly in 1963, Cairo International Airport replaced the old Heliopolis Airport located at the Hike-Step area in the East of Cairo. It consisted of arrival and departure halls, a transit hall and two runways with a capacity of five million passengers a year.

A second hall constructed in 1977-79 and a third added in 1980.

In the Eighties, air transport rates increased again and a second terminal became a necessity. Terminal Building 2 with its two arrival and departure halls, a transit hall and a runway, constructed to serve 3.5 million passengers per year.

The Airport faces continuous developments as enlarging the capacity of the transit hall from 1200 to 4500 passengers per hour, and a new parking area with the capacity of 800 vehicles constructed at a cost of 25 million pounds.

Amongst the new services, a new VIP Arrival and Departure Hall constructed outside the airport with a capacity of 180-200 passengers per hour. The new hall completed within 8 months, mainly serves the first class passengers and businessmen who want to pay more but to have rest in luxurious lounges while their papers and luggage are being checked.

Hall 3, which allocated for domestic flights, has been upgraded into an international hall.

Airport entrance

Obelisk of Ramses II at Cairo Int. Airport

The Development Plans at Cairo International Airport

Firstly, 1963
In March : Cairo International Airport Terminal 1 inaugurated. Designed to serve 5 million passengers per year. In that year the number of passengers was 8.18.000 passengers.

Secondly, 1977
The Arrival hall no.2 constructed.

Thirdly, 1979
The Departure Hall no.2 constructed.

1980
Departure and arrival Hall no. 3 constructed

1982
The new Runway 05R/23L was constructed.

1986
The inauguration of Terminal Building no.2 which designed to serve 3 million passengers /year .