EGYPT: MP Proposes Study to Convert Kom Oshim Military Base to Civilian Use

CAIRO, Egypt

• MP Bassam Al-Sawaf of the Egyptian Democratic Social Party has submitted a proposal to the Egyptian Prime Minister, Minister of Civil Aviation, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and Minister of Local Development and Environment for a study on converting and developing the Kom Oshim airbase (HE30) in Fayoum governorate into a civilian airport.
• Located about 100 kilometres southwest of Cairo, the airfield is close to the historical Karanis Site Museum and the Museum of Kom Aushim, which house artifacts from the ancient Greco-Roman town of Karanis.
• As a commercial aerodrome, aside from seasonal tourism, it would also serve the Fayoum, Beni Suef and Minya governorates and support Upper Egypt's development through high-value cargo flights, and perishable agricultural exports.
• The combined population of the three governorates exceeds 14.702 million.
• The proposal references a preliminary approval in April 2016 for civilian aviation use at the airport.
• It requests a full technical, economic and security assessment covering runways, facilities, navigation, safety, land availability and investment cost versus building a new airport.
• The study must align with Egypt Vision 2030 and the planned 33 square kilometer industrial zone at Kom Oshim targeting 300,000 direct jobs.
• Egyptian airports rose from 19 in 2014 to 23 in 2026, with 9.4 million passengers and 70,700 flights recorded January-April 2026.
• Four formal recommendations cover ministry-led studies, demand assessment for the three governorates, private-sector participation options and a clear timeline for cabinet review.

Sources:

• Dostor