Egyptair plans Sydney flights in major Asian expansion

Egyptair is preparing to relaunch flights from Cairo to Sydney via Singapore in 2027, marking a potential return to the Australian continent after a nearly 25-year hiatus. According to Sydney Airport officials and industry reports from Aviation Week, the route remains subject to regulatory approvals.

Crucially, the flag carrier is seeking “Fifth Freedom” traffic rights, which would allow it to sell tickets independently for the Singapore-Sydney leg alongside its primary Cairo connections.

Simultaneously, Egypt is accelerating its diplomatic and tourism push into Southeast Asia. It has officially granted Vietnamese citizens visas upon arrival at Egyptian airports to boost bilateral travel and trade ties, a decision highlighted by Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Mohamed Abou Bakr Saleh during Vietnam’s National Day celebrations in Cairo.

Complementing these policy changes, Egyptian carrier Air Cairo is exploring direct commercial flights to Vietnam to capitalize on growing Asian tourist demand. Vietnam National Authority of Tourism officials welcomed the initiative, framing Egypt as a key North African gateway to expand reciprocal travel and cultural exchange.