President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said Egypt is implementing a comprehensive plan to modernize its civil aviation system as he received International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar on Sunday.

El-Sisi affirmed Egypt’s commitment to developing civil aviation as a strategic sector closely linked to comprehensive economic development.

The president underlined the sector’s pivotal role in supporting trade, tourism, and investment, and in boosting connectivity between markets and countries.

El-Sisi said Egypt’s integrated modernization plan includes upgrading infrastructure, improving service quality, enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening technical and human capacities, and expanding airport capacity.

For his part, the ICAO chief commended Egypt’s pivotal role in supporting and developing the civil aviation sector regionally and internationally.

Salazar praised Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and Egyptian airports for their effective handling of a large number of emergency and rescheduled flights amid recent regional airspace closures caused by conflict in the region.

He said Egypt managed these challenges efficiently and responsibly, ensuring the continued safety and order of air traffic operations.

The meeting highlighted ongoing cooperation between Egypt and ICAO, including the renewal of the agreement to host the organization’s Middle East regional office in Cairo.

Attending the meeting, Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny said an agreement had been signed to renew Egypt’s hosting of the office.

He also outlined technical and operational cooperation between the two sides, stressing Egypt’s determination to build on recent achievements in line with the opportunities and challenges facing the civil aviation sector.

El-Sisi expressed Egypt’s appreciation for ICAO’s role as the global reference body regulating international civil aviation and ensuring the highest standards of safety and operational efficiency.

The president also praised cooperation between Egypt and ICAO at both the bilateral and regional levels, particularly given Cairo’s hosting of the organization’s regional office.