Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the leading global airport hospitality services provider, has recently announced a strategic joint venture with Egypt Aviation Services (EAS) and Cairo Airport Company (CAC).
Under this joint venture, Plaza Premium Group will manage, operate and commercialize six lounges across various terminals at Cairo International Airport, leveraging its global expertise to create award-winning airport hospitality experiences. The lounges will undergo a rebranding to Plaza Premium Lounge by CAC and EAS.
“This unprecedented partnership with Egyptian Aviation Services, and Cairo Airport Company opens up exciting opportunities for our first entry into the Egyptian market through this strategic partnership, bringing our global standards and expertise in delivering award-winning airport hospitality experiences to Cairo,” stated Okan Kufeci, senior vice president-Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Joint venture takes over six lounges
Cairo Airport Company assigned the full management of CAC VIP Lounges to a joint venture formed between EAS and Plaza Premium Group, who have taken over six Lounges in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and the Seasonal Terminal of the Cairo International Airport. Furthermore, a new lounge by the F Gates of Terminal 3 is under development.
This landmark partnership marks the official market entry of Plaza Premium Group into Egypt, another important milestone in the company’s expansion in the MENA region, alongside its recent expansions into other key markets in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Kenya and Abu Dhabi.
“Egypt represents a burgeoning market in global tourism, with Cairo International Airport being a key hub, connecting travelers to Egypt and across Africa and the MENA region. We are committed to enhancing the airport experience and supporting Egypt’s vision of becoming a premier global destination,” added Magdy Ishak Azzer, chairman and CEO of Cairo Airport Company.
Cairo International Airport is a pivotal hub for air travel in Egypt and the broader region, playing a significant role in the country’s economy and connectivity. It is the busiest airport in the country and Africa, handling 26.4 million passengers in 2023. The airport also has non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 125 destinations in 62 countries.
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Egypt’s tourism sector continues to grow
Cairo International Airport serves as a gateway for tourists visiting Egypt, accounting for 80 percent of passenger traffic in the country. It is also a major hub for business travelers and cargo transport across continents.
“The opportunities arising from the travel and tourism industry in Egypt are growing exponentially, driven by increased passenger traffic, new routes and expanded capacity among leading airlines. We are pleased to collaborate with Plaza Premium Group in amplifying Egypt’s reputation as a global aviation hub by optimizing passenger experiences and services in the multiple airport lounges within the Cairo International Airport,” stated General Mohamed Kamel Moustafa, chairman and managing director of Egypt Aviation Services.
The future of Egypt’s tourism sector is promising, with projections indicating the overall travel and tourism market to grow by 5.98 percent annually. In the first half of 2024, Egypt’s tourism sector revenues grew by 5 percent to $6.6 billion, compared to $6.3 billion in the same period of 2023. The country aims to reach 30 million tourists by 2028 and to increase airport capacity by 50 percent by 2030.
With Plaza Premium Group’s extensive presence in its key source markets including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other fast-emerging markets, especially China, its world-class airport hospitality services will cater to travelers from departure and transit to return.
