Cairo International Airport is on high alert ahead of the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, as sweeping road closures and tight security across the capital threaten to disrupt travel to and from the city’s primary aviation hub.
The grand opening of the museum, declared a public holiday by Egypt’s cabinet, is set for Saturday, following multiple delays, the most recent of which was in June due to regional instability.
Cabinet spokesperson Mohamed El-Hommosani told local media that no fewer than 40 heads of state, monarchs, and prime ministers are expected to attend the inauguration, alongside foreign ministers and senior dignitaries from several countries.
Cairo airport is operating under emergency protocols to accommodate the anticipated arrival of global leaders and delegations, a senior government source told Al Manassa.
“Heavy congestion is expected at all entrances and exits of Cairo International Airport, especially on roads connecting eastern and western Cairo,” said the official, who requested anonymity.
So far, the government has issued no formal instructions to airlines to amend flight schedules, the source explained to Al Manassa. However, authorities have coordinated with security and traffic units to ensure passengers and airport staff can arrive on time.
Some flights may face minor delays in take-off and passenger processing due to traffic snarls, the source warned.
To relieve pressure on Cairo’s main airport, Sphinx International Airport west of the capital will be used for select chartered and official state flights.
Earlier this week, authorities instructed shop owners, fuel stations, and residents in Faisal, Al-Haram, El-Remaya, and Hadayek Al-Ahram to close doors and windows and remain indoors from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning, as part of the security lockdown. Commercial activity near the museum would also be suspended.
Authorities have also devised a traffic diversion plan to keep central arteries open. These include El-Mosheer Tantawy Axis, the eastern section of the Ring Road, and both the northern and southern segments of the 90th Street corridor, linking East Cairo with regional highways and bypassing restricted zones.
Cairo Airport Company has declared a full operational alert inside departure and arrival halls, mobilizing support teams to assist passengers and manage congestion at terminal entrances, according to the government source.
“We’ve coordinated with airport police and traffic authorities to safeguard the movement of tourist buses and VIP transport shuttles from hotels to the airport,” the official said. “We’re expecting waves of delegations and international travelers flying in for this historic event.”
The Grand Egyptian Museum, billed as the largest institution in the world dedicated to a single civilization, will showcase thousands of ancient artifacts from all eras of Egyptian history.
Chief among them is the complete treasure collection of King Tutankhamun, on public display in one location for the first time since his tomb was discovered in Luxor in 1922.
