Egypt Permits and the Cairo FIR: The Operator Guide
Cairo FIR is one of the busiest overflight environments in the Middle East. This is the practical guide to working with the ECAA.
Why Cairo FIR matters
The Cairo FIR spans Egypt, parts of the Red Sea, and key routing corridors between Europe, Africa, and Asia. Almost every trip between Western Europe and the Indian Ocean transits the Cairo FIR. Egypt's ECAA (Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority) is generally well-organized but has specific quirks worth knowing.
Lead times
- Overflight: 48 hours standard, 24 hours short-notice.
- Landing: 48–72 hours, depending on airport.
- Diplomatic: 24 hours.
- Medevac: 4–6 hours.
Documents required
1. AOC or aircraft registration certificate.
2. Insurance certificate with war-risk coverage.
3. Worldwide noise certificate.
4. Schedule with full routing and FIR entry/exit points.
5. Crew and passenger details with passports.
Weekend handling
ECAA observes Friday and Saturday as weekend. Permits filed Wednesday or Thursday for Sunday execution are routine; permits for Friday or Saturday operation must be filed by Thursday afternoon.
Sinai routing
Sinai overflight has occasional restrictions tied to regional security. Most commercial routing avoids low-altitude Sinai segments; ECAA will flag any unusual routing for additional review. If your flight plan crosses Sinai below FL240, expect a 24-hour delay for clearance.
Cairo (HECA) and other airports
- Cairo (HECA): primary international gateway, H24, full customs.
- Sharm el-Sheikh (HESH): tourist hub, H24, AOE.
- Hurghada (HEGN): tourist hub, H24, AOE.
- Borg El Arab Alexandria (HEBA): secondary international gateway.
LFS uses EgyptAir Ground Services as primary handler at most Egyptian airports and maintains direct ECAA portal credentials for fast permit turnaround.
Operator FAQs
How long does an Egypt overflight permit take?
48 hours standard, 24 hours short-notice through LFS. Diplomatic and medevac flags are honored with fast-track processing.
Can I overfly Sinai at low altitude?
Possible but not routine — Sinai below FL240 may require additional clearance and a 24-hour buffer. Above FL240 is standard.
Are Egyptian weekends an issue?
Yes — ECAA observes Friday and Saturday off. Plan filings for weekend operation by Thursday afternoon.
LFS handles your operation 24/7.
Send the trip — we acknowledge in under 60 minutes during working hours, immediately for AOG.