Egypt’s new capital gets its first international flight link

Egypt’s new administrative capital got its first international flight connection, a boost for the ambitious megaproject that seeks to ease pressure on congested historic Cairo.

Air Cairo began scheduled flights from the Capital International Airport to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, according to a statement from the Aviation Ministry. The low-cost carrier will operate six services per week to the Red Sea city.

The flights are the latest bid to increase access to the showpiece New Administrative Capital, which has been taking shape about 30 miles east of historic Cairo since 2015.

Under a three-phase project, a 700 square-kilometer (270 square-mile) swath of desert — roughly equal to the size of Singapore — is being turned into a modern hub for government buildings, embassies and major companies. It also boasts Africa’s tallest tower. A monorail will eventually link it to downtown Cairo and across the Nile River to Giza.

The flight connection is in line with government efforts to integrate and maximize the use of new airports, boost traffic to the new capital and alleviate pressure on other facilities, particularly Cairo International Airport, the ministry said.

Greater Cairo is Africa’s largest city, home to more than 20 million people. The country attracted a record 19 million tourist arrivals last year, second only to Morocco on the continent.