Egypt Aviation Permits
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Civil Aviation Authority
- Name: Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA)
- Website: https://www.civilaviation.gov.eg
- Contact: Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airport Road, Cairo | Tel: +20 2 2267 7252 | Operating hours: 0800Z-1200Z weekdays | Weekends: Friday & Saturday
Estimated Processing Time
Requirements by Operation Type
Private flights require ECAA permit and military approval. Security-sensitive, allow extra time.
Non-scheduled flights require ECAA and military clearance, 7 business days minimum.
Bilateral agreements via ECAA.
Overflight Permit
- Required: Yes
- Authority: ECAA
- Lead Time: 48 working hours minimum (4 business days recommended); air ambulance: 3 hours
- Validity: +24 hours from approved schedule
- Fees: No CAA processing fees; route navigation charges apply
Required for ALL foreign-registered aircraft. Provide: aircraft details, captain name, number of crew/passengers, itinerary. Military zones and sensitive areas have routing restrictions. Operating without ECAA clearance is prohibited -- aircraft will be intercepted. Algerian-registered aircraft are prohibited from overflying or landing in Egypt (reciprocal ban since April 2025). Routing via Mauritania remains open as alternative.
1. Submit overflight request to ECAA at least 4 business days before (air ambulance: 3 hours) 2. Provide: aircraft type & registration, captain name, crew & passenger count, full itinerary with entry/exit points 3. No aircraft documents typically required for overflight 4. No CAA processing fees 5. ECAA operates 0800Z-1200Z weekdays (Fri & Sat are weekends) 6. IMPORTANT: operating without clearance is prohibited and will result in interception
Landing Permit
- Required: Yes
- Authority: ECAA
- Lead Time: 4 business days (official); air ambulance: 3 hours
- Validity: +24 hours from approved schedule
- Fees: No CAA processing fees; standard landing/parking/nav fees
Required for ALL operations (private and charter). Purpose of flight must be specified -- do not just list 'business'; provide specific reason. Lead passenger must always be identified. Egyptian nationals aboard GA aircraft require Egyptian authority approval -- provide full list of Egyptian nationals in permit request. Permit revisions required for changes to date, time, origin/destination, or tail number. A sponsor letter may be required for certain operations. Radio License must be valid for flight dates.
1. Engage a local handler 2. Submit landing permit to ECAA at least 4 business days before 3. Provide: Certificate of Registration, Airworthiness Certificate, AOC (charter), Insurance Certificate, Noise Certificate, Radio License, crew details 4. Provide: SPECIFIC purpose of flight (not just 'business'), lead passenger identification, full passenger manifest 5. For Egyptian nationals aboard: provide complete list for approval by Egyptian authorities 6. ECAA operates 0800Z-1200Z weekdays (Fri & Sat weekends) 7. No government processing fees 8. Permit valid +24 hours; revisions REQUIRED for any changes to date, time, origin/destination, or tail number
Cabotage
No (Egyptian national restrictions apply)
General Remarks
Cairo International (HECA) is the primary airport. Sharm El Sheikh (HESH), Hurghada (HEGN), Luxor (HELX), and Borg El Arab/Alexandria (HEBA) also receive bizav. Restricted airspace near military zones -- follow assigned routing. Egyptian national travel on GA aircraft requires separate approval. Friday and Saturday are weekends.