Travco Group is preparing to launch a new privately owned Egyptian airline in November 2026 The carrier aims to debut with an initial fleet of three to four aircraft and plans to expand rapidly as Egypt seeks to capitalize on booming tourism demand and growing air travel.

According to Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El Hefny, the new airline is backed by a major tourism investor and forms part of the government’s broader strategy to encourage private sector participation in aviation. Speaking during a press conference in Cairo, the minister said the carrier is expected to grow its fleet to around 10 aircraft within its first year of operations, while longer-term plans target as many as 20 aircraft within five years.

Travco Chairman Hamed El Chiaty said the airline will focus primarily on charter operations connecting Egypt with Europe and other regional markets, supporting inbound tourism to destinations such as Sharm El Sheikh, Marsa Alam, and Matrouh. The fleet is expected to consist entirely of Airbus aircraft configured with approximately 180 to 220 seats.

The launch comes amid a strong recovery in Egypt’s tourism sector. The country welcomed approximately 19 million visitors in 2025 and is targeting 21 million tourists this year. During the first quarter of 2026 alone, Egypt received around 5.6 million tourists, a 43.5% increase year-over-year, generating nearly $5.1 billion in tourism revenues.

The airline’s certification and licensing procedures are currently underway and are expected to take between 80 and 90 days. However, El Chiaty acknowledged that geopolitical instability and rising aviation fuel prices could delay the launch timeline. Concerns over potential jet fuel shortages in Europe and continued disruption linked to the Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have created uncertainty across the global aviation industry.

The new airline also aligns with wider reforms introduced by Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation aimed at liberalizing the market and attracting fresh investment. Recent regulatory amendments seek to simplify licensing procedures, expand opportunities for private aviation companies, strengthen digitalization, and encourage investment in aviation manufacturing, training, and specialized air services.