Cairo International Airport (CAI/HECA) Operational Guide

Cairo International Airport (CAI/HECA) is Egypt’s principal international gateway and supports scheduled, cargo, business, government and non-scheduled aviation. ASM coordinates CAI flight support through its 24/7 operations desk, covering permits, slots or airport requirements, ground handling, parking, Jet A-1 fuel, CIQ and crew logistics for each proposed movement.

Information reviewed: 8 September 2026. Confirm the current Egypt AIP, NOTAMs, airport instructions and supplier availability before operation.

Cairo International Airport identity and terminal profile

Cairo International Airport is located about 15 km northeast of central Cairo in Heliopolis and uses IATA code CAI and ICAO code HECA. Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation identifies Cairo as the country’s principal international gateway. The airport has three main passenger terminal buildings, while the exact processing arrangement for a non-scheduled or business aviation movement should be confirmed for the individual operation.

For an operator planning CAI, the useful question is not simply whether the airport is open, but which handling, parking, passenger-processing, fuel and border arrangements have been accepted for the aircraft and schedule.

CAI/HECA operational facts

Operational item	Planning reference
Airport	Cairo International Airport
IATA / ICAO	CAI / HECA
Location	Cairo, Egypt
Typical traffic	Scheduled passenger, cargo, business, government and non-scheduled operations
Core confirmations	Permit, slot or airport coordination, handling, parking, fuel and CIQ arrangements
Operational check	Current AIP, NOTAMs, authority approval and supplier confirmation

What should operators confirm before a Cairo operation?

Confirm the landing approval, slot or airport coordination, handler, parking, fuel and customs, immigration and quarantine requirements as one plan. A permit does not automatically confirm every airport service.

Provide accurate passenger, crew and cargo information early. ASM’s flight support team coordinates the local workstreams and highlights items still awaiting authority or supplier acceptance.

Egypt landing permits and schedule amendments

Permit requirements depend on operator status, aircraft, purpose, routing and traffic rights. State, diplomatic, cargo or other specialised missions may require additional documentation and lead time.

If the registration, aircraft type, route or timings change, review the approval before departure. ASM provides flight permit coordination, but the relevant authority retains approval.

Ground handling, terminal and CIQ coordination

The operational request should identify the flight type, expected terminal or processing requirement, passenger and crew numbers, baggage, cargo and any special assistance. Handling may include ramp services, equipment, water, lavatory service, catering delivery and transport.

CIQ arrangements depend on the accepted movement and documentation. ASM coordinates ground handling with the appointed provider and confirms the agreed reporting and processing plan.

Parking and aircraft turnaround at CAI

Parking must be requested separately for the aircraft type, dimensions and ground time. State whether the aircraft will turn, remain overnight or reposition, and identify any towing or servicing requirement.

For a short turnaround, align baggage, passenger processing, fuel, catering and crew transport with the target departure. A revised slot or permit schedule can require every service to be reconfirmed.

Jet A-1 fuel planning in Cairo

Send the aircraft registration, type, ETA and ETD, requested grade, estimated quantity and release or billing details. The supplier must accept the uplift for the proposed time and aircraft.

ASM’s aviation fuel services can coordinate the quote, release and delivery timing with the local handler.

Crew HOTAC and local transport

Book accommodation and transport around duty requirements, reporting time and the actual airport processing plan. Allow for local traffic when setting pickup times, but reconfirm conditions for the date of operation.

Provide hotel, transport, meal and crew-change requirements at the start so they can be updated alongside the flight schedule.

Slots, PPR and airport acceptance at CAI

A landing permit, slot or PPR, parking approval and handling confirmation are separate operational controls. Their applicability and timing depend on the operator, aircraft, flight purpose, proposed UTC schedule and current Egyptian authority or airport requirements. Approval of one item should not be treated as confirmation of the complete movement.

ASM reviews the schedule and aircraft details with the relevant authority, airport, handler and service-provider channels. Any revision should be checked across the permit, slot or PPR, parking, handling, crew duty, CIQ and passenger or cargo arrangements before the flight plan is amended.

Operating hours, restrictions and NOTAM checks at CAI

Airport and service availability should be verified for every CAI movement against the current Egypt AIP, NOTAMs and airport or handler confirmation. Runway availability, temporary restrictions, noise procedures, terminal acceptance and supplier operating windows may change with maintenance, traffic and the type of operation.

ASM’s 24/7 operations desk aligns these checks with permits, ground handling, parking, Jet A-1 fuel, customs and immigration, crew transport and passenger or cargo requirements. Final permissions and airport acceptance remain subject to the relevant authorities, airport and service providers.

Cairo charter and related planning pages

For private charter planning to Cairo, see ASM Charter’s Private Charter to Cairo page. This operational guide covers the airport and flight-support side; the charter page covers destination and passenger planning.

Review ASM’s 24/7 flight support services for wider operational coordination. Charter planners can also review the private jet to Cairo guide; airport, passenger and ground arrangements should still be confirmed for the specific mission.

What information should operators send ASM?

Provide the operator name, aircraft type and registration, MTOW, complete routing, ETA and ETD in UTC, purpose of flight, passenger and crew totals, ground time, requested fuel, handling scope, parking requirement and any cargo or special-service details. Include operator certificates and insurance documents when applicable.

A single complete brief allows permits, airport coordination, handling, fuel and crew arrangements to be reviewed together.

Frequently asked questions

Does CAI require a landing permit?

Requirements depend on the operator, aircraft, purpose, routing and traffic rights. ASM reviews the mission and coordinates the applicable submission, while approval remains with the relevant authority.

Are slots, PPR or airport acceptance required at CAI?

The applicable control can change by operation type and traffic period. Confirm the current national AIP, NOTAMs and airport instructions for both arrival and departure.

Is Jet A-1 available at CAI?

Jet A-1 is normally available, but the required quantity, supplier acceptance, delivery timing and fuel release must be confirmed for the movement. General availability is not an uplift confirmation.

Can ASM coordinate ground handling at CAI?

Yes. ASM can coordinate the appointed local provider for confirmed ramp, passenger, crew, baggage, equipment, catering and transport requirements.

Can aircraft parking be guaranteed?

No. Parking is subject to airport and handler confirmation for the aircraft type, schedule and proposed ground time. Overnight or extended parking should be requested early.

How early should a CAI request be submitted?

Submit as early as practical. The minimum regulatory notice does not guarantee airport acceptance, slots, parking, handling, fuel or special services. Complex, state, diplomatic or cargo operations may need additional time.

What CIQ information is needed for Cairo?

Provide complete passenger, crew and cargo details and any required supporting documents. The applicable customs, immigration and quarantine process depends on the flight and accepted processing arrangement.

Request flight support at CAI

Planning an operation through Cairo, Egypt? ASM has supported international aviation operations since 1998 and coordinates flight support through its 24/7 desk.

Email: sales@asm.aero
Telephone: +971 4 409 7755

Permits, slots, airport acceptance, parking, fuel, handling and other services remain subject to the relevant authorities and suppliers for the individual movement.