Egypt Introduces Smart Baggage Tech as 11 Airports Undergo AI Overhaul

Egypt’s plans to modernise 11 of its major airports are accelerating with the rollout of smart baggage handling systems and AI-driven analytics. The upgrades aim to streamline check-in and baggage operations, reduce mishandling, and improve real-time tracking for millions of travellers.

At the heart of the transformation is Cairo’s newly launched Smart Control Centre, which enables live monitoring of airport operations and enhances coordination across terminals. Supporting the shift, EgyptAir has signed a major network upgrade agreement with aviation technology provider SITA, whose AI tools are powering much of the new infrastructure.

The initiative is part of a broader collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, which is helping Egypt attract private investment through public-private partnerships focused on infrastructure and service upgrades.

According to SITA’s 2025 industry report, airports in the Middle East and Africa maintained one of the world’s lowest rates of mishandled bags in 2024—just 6.02 per 1,000 passengers—despite rising travel demand. With global baggage mishandling still costing airlines USD 5 billion annually, Egypt’s efforts to implement smarter systems reflect a wider push to improve travel reliability and reduce costly inefficiencies.