EgyptAir, a prominent airline in Africa and the Middle East, has unveiled ambitious plans to bolster its footprint in the Chinese market through significant business expansion and strategic partnerships.

The airline announced its plans during ITB China 2024, an industry event. The airline's latest initiatives aim to enhance connectivity, promote cultural exchanges and attract more Chinese tourists to Egypt.

During the event, EgyptAir revealed its intention to ramp up its Cairo-Shanghai route to four weekly flights starting July 14, with plans for additional flights to Beijing in the pipeline.

Emphasizing China's importance as a key market, Amr Adawy, vice-president (commercial) of EgyptAir, highlighted the airline's commitment to expanding its presence in China.

"China is a top priority for EgyptAir due to its vast population and significant passenger volume," said Adawy. "We aim to expand our destinations in China to foster greater cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries."

Currently operating 16 weekly flights between Cairo and various cities in China, including routes to Guangzhou in Guangdong province, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, EgyptAir is set to introduce new routes to Hong Kong and Xiamen, a coastal city in Fujian province.

Besides Adawy, other top executives from EgyptAir, including EgyptAir Holding Company's chairman and CEO Elnakady Yehia, EgyptAir's chairman and CEO Mohamed Moussa, attended ITB Shanghai 2024 to explore further business opportunities in the region.

A significant milestone was reached as Cairo International Airport, in collaboration with EgyptAir, signed an agreement with Shanghai International Airport Co, underscoring the deepening cooperation between China and Egypt in the aviation sector.

In a bid to promote cultural exchanges, EgyptAir is partnering with the Shanghai Museum to present an exhibition titled On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt. Scheduled to run from July 19 to Aug 17, 2025, the exhibition aims to showcase the rich heritage of the ancient Egyptian civilization in Asia.

Ashraf Rateb, vice-president (tourism) of EgyptAir, emphasized the shared history and culture of Egypt and China, noting the significance of appreciating each other's splendid heritage.

To attract more Chinese tourists, EgyptAir introduced enticing discounts, including a 50 percent discount on flights from China to Egypt or connecting through Egypt to other destinations during the ITB exhibition.

Adawy reiterated EgyptAir's commitment to enhancing services tailored to the needs of the Chinese market, highlighting the airline's dedication to improving passenger experience. With Shanghai's focus on high-quality cultural tourism, EgyptAir is optimistic about the growth potential in the Chinese market.

Through its expansions, partnerships and cultural initiatives, EgyptAir, he said, aims to strengthen connectivity, foster cultural exchanges and invite more Chinese travelers to explore the wonders of Egypt. "I encourage everyone to visit Egypt by choosing EgyptAir."

Luo Bin contributed to this story.