SITA backs Egypt’s aviation future with new Cairo tech hub
The new Cairo Command Center (SCC) joins the company’s global network of hubs alongside those in Montreal and Singapore.
The facility offers 24/7 real-time monitoring of networks, infrastructure, and applications, ensuring uninterrupted support for airports, airlines, and governments worldwide.
Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Sameh El-Hefny, and SITA’s President for the Middle East & Africa, Selim Bouri, attended the inauguration.
Speaking to Ahram Online, Bouri explained how the Cairo hub reflects SITA’s commitment to the region and aligns with Egypt’s broader strategy to involve the private sector in managing 11 of its airports.
“This is only our third global Command Center,” Bouri said. “Cairo was chosen because of its strategic location, growing aviation market, and deep talent pool.”
Why Cairo?
Bouri explained that a mix of strategic, logistical, and economic considerations shaped the decision to establish the SCC in Egypt.
“Egypt’s unique position at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East makes it an ideal location for supporting a rapidly growing aviation market in the region," he stated. “The country’s long history as a major player in the global aviation sector, coupled with its burgeoning tech industry, made Cairo a prime candidate for this high-tech facility.”
Some of those factors included:
- Skilled Workforce: Egypt’s tech sector has produced a highly educated workforce, especially in IT, with multilingual capabilities in Arabic, English, and French—ideal for international aviation support.
- Geographic Advantage: Cairo offers excellent regional connectivity across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, helping SITA deliver faster, more efficient services.
- Established Presence: SITA has operated in Egypt for over 70 years, making it a natural base to expand its regional operations.
- Supportive Policy Environment: The Egyptian government’s push to modernise aviation infrastructure and encourage foreign investment also played a key role. “The Minister of Civil Aviation himself is a technology advocate,” Bouri noted.
Egypt’s aviation growth
Bouri told Ahram Online that Egypt’s aviation sector is growing rapidly, with Middle East and North Africa (MENA) passenger numbers expected to double in the next five years. This growth is straining current infrastructure and increasing the demand for more innovative, tech-enabled solutions.
“SITA’s Cairo Command Center is designed to meet these needs—providing real-time support, improving safety, and enhancing the passenger experience,” he said. As national carrier EgyptAir and other regional airlines expand, SITA’s technology will address congestion and operational inefficiencies at major airports.
Private Sector Partnerships
Bouri also discussed Egypt’s strategy to upgrade airport infrastructure through public-private partnerships (PPPs), calling it a “critical step” toward faster investment, better decision-making, and technological modernisation.
“Maintaining and upgrading a large number of airports is costly,” he said. “By allowing private investors to take a stake in airport management, Egypt hopes to alleviate the strain on public funds and expedite the implementation of new technologies. SITA’s experience with similar models around the world has made it an ideal partner for such initiatives.”
He emphasized that SITA’s global experience with PPPs and its use of a “concession model”, which allows co-financing and long-term partnerships, make it well-positioned to support Egypt and others in the region.