Inaugural El Alamein-Moscow flights operated at full capacity: Air Cairo captain

CAIRO – 16 August 2026: The inaugural direct flights between northern Egypt’s El Alamein and Moscow — outbound and return — were fully booked, with favorable weather conditions during the journey, an Air Cairo captain said.

Adham Omar, who piloted the first direct flight from El Alamein to the Russian capital this week, expressed optimism that upcoming flights will see strong demand.

The flight between the two cities takes around four hours and 45 minutes, Omar said, noting that weather conditions were favorable throughout the journey.

The inaugural Air Cairo service carried 176 passengers, marking the launch of a new direct link between the Mediterranean city and Moscow.

Air Cairo is preparing to operate additional flights from Alamain International Airport, Omar said, noting that the airline currently serves Portugal and Armenia from the airport and is planning to add further destinations, including Milan.

The expanding network is strengthening El Alamein’s international air connectivity and creating new access to Egypt’s Mediterranean coast for travelers from overseas markets.

Egypt last week welcomed Russia’s decision to authorize direct flights to Borg El Arab and El Alamein international airports, saying the move would provide Russian tourists with new options to visit Mediterranean destinations including Alexandria, the North Coast and El Alamein.

The Egyptian foreign ministry said the decision reflects growing Egyptian-Russian cooperation in transport and aviation, while supporting tourism and people-to-people ties and meeting rising demand for direct flights between the two countries.