Egypt refutes claims, accusations made by blogger against Cairo International Airport

CAIRO – 17 November 2024: In reference to the article published on a foreign travel blog, where the blogger shared his experience traveling through Cairo International Airport under the title "Why Cairo Airport is absolutely awful," which was subsequently covered by various websites and satellite channels, Egypt issued a statement regarding this situation.

The blogger detailed his experience upon arriving at Cairo International Airport on November 10 and 11, 2024, as well as his departure from the airport.

In response, the Minister of Civil Aviation has directed a thorough investigation into the claims made, instructing a review of the airport’s surveillance footage. This allowed authorities to track the passenger's journey step by step—from his arrival at Cairo International Airport on his first flight from Italy to his departure to his hotel, and then his second flight later that same day from Cairo to Addis Ababa.

The Ministry added this statement presents a clear and accurate account of the situation, taking into consideration the passenger’s reported difficulties during his travel experience.

The passenger arrived at Terminal 2 of Cairo International Airport on November 10, 2024, on ITA Airways flight No. AZ896 from Rome, landing at 16:50. The time from his arrival until his departure from the terminal was approximately 18 minutes—a remarkably quick processing time by international standards. 

The Ministry noted that finalizing the procedures in this time reflects the efficiency and smoothness of the airport’s arrival procedures, as well as the flexibility of movement within the terminal.

Afterward, the passenger proceeded to the Le Méridien Hotel, where he stayed for about five hours.

Later that same day, the passenger returned to Terminal 3 at Cairo International Airport for his onward journey. He was booked on Ethiopian Airlines flight No. ET453 to Addis Ababa, which departed at 2:50 am on November 11. His experience at the first checkpoint took approximately one minute. He then proceeded to the airline counter to complete his travel procedures, which took around 8 minutes. It’s important to note that these procedures are handled by the airline, not the airport, and are outside the airport’s direct control, the ministry continued.

The passenger then proceeded to the passport control counter, which took just one minute, further confirming the smooth and efficient flow of passengers within the airport. This contrasts with the passenger’s claims of chaos and disorder, which he suggested made him uncomfortable.

It is also worth noting that the passenger did not have any luggage, only a handbag and a small backpack. This contradicts his claims of being harassed by airport staff requesting a tip for helping carry his bags.

The passenger then visited two lounges in the departure hall. First, he went to Lounge 2, and later to Lounge E, where he had a drink, used his laptop, and stayed for about an hour. Afterward, he moved to Lounge G, where he had dinner and spent approximately 30 minutes. This indicates that the majority of his waiting time at the airport was spent enjoying the services offered by these lounges, which are known for their high quality.

This raises the question: Is it reasonable for a passenger to visit two lounges before a single flight? Additionally, before leaving Lounge G, the passenger used the lounge’s bathroom without any reported issues or harassment from staff. 

Furthermore, an important detail undermining the passenger’s claims is that the photo of the bathroom he posted does not correspond to the bathroom he used at Lounge G.

Regarding the passenger’s complaint about tipping, Cairo International Airport’s policies strongly contradict these claims. There are clear “NO TIPS” signage throughout the airport, along with a dedicated complaint number to report any inappropriate behavior by staff. It’s important to note that no complaints were received from the passenger during his time at the airport.

As for the reported smell of cigarette smoke, the airport has designated smoking areas, and smoking is prohibited in all other areas. This practice is consistent with global airport standards. 

Upon arriving at the departure hall (Gate G4), the passenger spent approximately 30 minutes standing at the gate entrance, seemingly with no specific reason for his prolonged stay. This behavior suggests his intention to observe and highlight any potential issues to report later. 

Once inside the hall, instead of using available seating, he chose to stand for another 30 minutes by a window, taking pictures with his mobile phone of various scenes in the terminal. This suggests he was looking for negative details to publicize, potentially distorting the reality of the situation.

Regarding his earlier post about the security procedures at Cairo International Airport, the Ministry confirms that the security measures followed at the airport adhere to international standards for safety and security. There is also ongoing and effective coordination with all relevant agencies at the airport to ensure smooth operations and the highest level of service for passengers.

The passenger also criticized Cairo International Airport employees as being aggressive and unfriendly, which is unsupported by the camera footage. The passenger did not have any direct interactions with staff in the arrivals or departures halls. Furthermore, he was met by a hotel representative, as per his request, upon arrival, which contradicts his claims of mistreatment, chaos, or disorganization at the airport.

The Ministry affirmed that the accusations made against Cairo International Airport employees are unjustified and without basis. “These allegations, which lack any tangible evidence, serve only to damage the reputation of the airport staff and tarnish the reputation of Cairo International Airport itself. It is clear that these misleading claims are designed to harm both the airport's image and the standing of its workers, without any factual support,” the Ministry said.

Furthermore, the passenger’s brief visit to Egypt, lasting less than five hours, was not for tourism or any official purpose, but rather appeared to be aimed at undermining Cairo Airport, the ministry continued.

“Cairo International Airport is Egypt’s and Africa’s primary gateway, with a nearly 4-star rating and a place among the top 10 airports in Africa, according to the Skytrax evaluation in February 2024. Skytrax, a UK-based company specializing in airport and airline star rankings, conducts independent surveys to gauge customer satisfaction worldwide,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry of Aviation also wished to emphasize that it welcomes constructive criticism that helps improve the quality of services for travelers. However, it strongly rejects any unfounded, destructive accusations that seek to damage the efforts and reputation of the airport’s dedicated staff, especially when they are not based on verified facts.

Cairo International Airport staff undergo continuous professional training to ensure that all travelers receive the highest standards of service, comfort, and safety, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said, urging media outlets and social media users to verify the accuracy and objectivity of any information before publishing. 

“We strongly discourage the spread of false claims or misleading rumors that could damage the reputation of Egypt's civil aviation sector,” the Ministry added.

The Ministry will take all necessary legal action against those who attempt to harm the credibility and reputation of the civil aviation sector through unfounded allegations.