Roberta Aguirre
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Egypt, with two terminals and five lounges. It is located 12 kilometres from the city centre of Sharm El Sheikh and was opened in 1968. The airport has been the site of several tragic incidents, including the downing of Metrojet Flight 9268 in 2015, which led to a significant decrease in passenger numbers and the suspension of flights by many countries. In 2021, flights between Russia and Sharm El Sheikh resumed after a five-year ban due to the Metrojet incident. The airport has also received complaints about disorganisation, excessive heat during winter, and slow security checks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt |
| Year Opened | 1968 |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Capacity | 5 million passengers per year |
| Area | 43,000 square metres (460,000 sq ft) |
| Number of Check-in Counters | 40 |
| Number of Gates | 8 (2 domestic, 6 international) |
| Building Components | 2 circular-shaped halls and an intermediate space |
| Facilities | Passport control, duty-free, VIP areas, cafes/restaurants |
| Security | Issues with organisation and long waits reported |
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Terminals and Capacity
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Egypt. Located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from the city centre, the airport opened in 1968 and has two terminals.
The second terminal, Terminal 1, was inaugurated on 23 May 2007. It has a capacity of 5 million passengers per year and features 40 check-in counters. The 43,000-square-metre (460,000 sq ft) two-level terminal is designed to handle a large volume of international and chartered flights. It has two domestic and six international gates, all of which exit to remote stands. The terminal is made up of three building components: two circular-shaped halls connected by a wedge-shaped intermediate area called "the boat," which serves as a passenger transit hub with passport control, duty-free shopping, VIP areas, and cafes/restaurants.
The airport had plans to double its capacity from 7.5 to 15 million passengers per year by constructing a new terminal, with a projected completion date of 2015. However, by September 2016, construction had not begun. The airport was expected to accommodate 18 million passengers annually by 2025.
Terminal 3 was planned to be built north of the existing airport, featuring an origami-shaped roof that provides shade and natural light. The design included taxiways, aprons, an electrical or mechanical plant, security facilities, a mosque, car parking, and a wastewater treatment facility.
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Airport Security
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Egypt and is located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from the city centre of Sharm El Sheikh. It opened in 1968 and currently has two terminals, with plans to build a third.
The airport's security services are housed in sheds, according to the original plans for the airport's infrastructure. However, some passengers have criticised the airport's security checks as "unnecessary" and "awful". They have also complained about the lack of bins to securely place valuable items such as cameras, tablets and wallets during the security screening process.
In addition to security, travellers have also raised concerns about the airport's organisation, cleanliness and temperature. They have described it as "dirty", "terribly organised" and "really hot in winter".
Sharm El Sheikh Airport has also been affected by safety concerns stemming from the downing of Metrojet Flight 9268 in October 2015. The incident led to a significant decrease in passenger numbers as many countries, including Russia and the United Kingdom, banned flights to and from the airport. It wasn't until August 2021 that flights between Russia and Sharm El Sheikh resumed.
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Location
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, located in the city of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, is one of the busiest airports in the country. The airport is situated approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from the city centre. Sharm El Sheikh International Airport first opened its doors in 1968 and has since expanded to include two terminals.
Terminal 1, inaugurated in May 2007, is a modern, two-level structure spanning 43,000 square metres (460,000 square feet). It was designed to accommodate a large volume of international and chartered flights, with a capacity of 5 million passengers per year. This terminal boasts 40 check-in counters and features two domestic and six international gates, all leading to remote stands. The unique design of Terminal 1 includes two circular halls connected by a wedge-shaped intermediate space known as "the boat." This area serves as a central hub for passengers, housing passport control, duty-free shopping, VIP areas, and dining options.
Terminal 3 was planned to further enhance the airport's capacity and efficiency. The design included an origami-shaped roof that provided shade and natural lighting while protecting the facades from direct sunlight. The project also entailed constructing additional infrastructure, such as taxiways, aprons, a mosque, car parking, and a wastewater treatment facility. However, as of September 2016, construction on Terminal 3 had not commenced.
The airport serves as a hub for various airlines, offering scheduled and charter flights to destinations worldwide. It has experienced fluctuations in passenger numbers, including a significant decrease following the downing of Metrojet Flight 9268 in October 2015, which led to flight suspensions and cancellations. However, the airport has also witnessed growth and development, such as the opening of a base for EgyptAir Express in 2018, expanding the number of destinations served.
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History
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from the city of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, first opened in 1968. The airport has two terminals and is one of the busiest airports in Egypt.
On 3 January 2004, Flash Airlines Flight 604, en route to Cairo and then Paris, crashed in the Red Sea shortly after taking off from Sharm El Sheikh Airport, killing all 148 people on board. On 23 May 2007, the airport inaugurated its second terminal, Terminal 1, with a capacity of 5 million passengers per year. The new terminal, a two-level, 43,000-square-metre structure, features 40 check-in counters and six international gates, designed to handle a large volume of international and chartered flights.
On 31 October 2015, Metrojet Flight 9268, en route from Sharm El Sheikh to St. Petersburg, Russia, crashed in the Sinai Peninsula, resulting in the deaths of all 224 passengers and crew. The crash was attributed to a terrorist bombing by the jihadist group ISIL. Following this incident, many countries, including Russia and the United Kingdom, suspended flights to and from Sharm El Sheikh, citing safety concerns. This led to a significant decrease in passenger numbers at the airport.
In January 2018, it was announced that EgyptAir Express would establish a base at the airport for its Airbus A220 fleet, potentially increasing the number of destinations served. On 9 August 2021, Rossiya Airlines operated the first flight between Russia and Sharm El Sheikh in five years, following the lifting of flight bans.
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Passenger Experience
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from the city of Sharm El Sheikh, is one of the busiest airports in Egypt. It was opened in 1968 and currently has two terminals. The airport has a range of passenger facilities, including lounges, cafes, restaurants, and duty-free shopping areas.
The original terminal has a capacity of 7.5 million passengers per year. In 2007, a new Terminal 1 was inaugurated, increasing the airport's overall capacity. This new terminal is a two-level, 43,000-square-metre structure with 40 check-in counters. It is designed to handle a large volume of international and chartered flights, with two domestic and six international gates. The unique design of Terminal 1 features two circular halls connected by a wedge-shaped intermediate space known as 'the boat', which serves as a central hub for passenger services.
However, the airport has also received criticism from passengers. Some have reported issues with organisation, cleanliness, and long wait times. Security checks have been described as inefficient and lacking proper facilities for placing personal items. Additionally, there have been concerns about excessive requests for money and overall discomfort due to high temperatures during the winter months.
In terms of accessibility and transportation, the airport is situated 12 kilometres from the city centre. It serves as a base for EgyptAir Express, offering the potential for expanded flight destinations. The airport has also undergone expansion plans, including the proposed construction of Terminal 3, which was designed to further increase the airport's capacity to accommodate up to 15 million passengers annually by 2025. This expansion included plans for additional infrastructure, such as a mosque, car parking areas, and improvements to taxiways and aprons.
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Frequently asked questions
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is located in the city of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from the city centre.
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Egypt. The airport has two terminals and caters to millions of passengers per year.
Terminal 1 is a two-level, 43,000-square-metre terminal with 40 check-in counters, six international gates, and various passenger facilities, including passport control, duty-free shops, VIP areas, and cafes/restaurants. However, some travellers have noted issues with the airport's cleanliness and organisation.
Yes, there have been several notable incidents at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport. In 2004, Flash Airlines Flight 604 crashed into the Red Sea shortly after taking off from the airport, resulting in the deaths of all 148 passengers and crew on board. In 2015, Metrojet Flight 9268, en route from Sharm El Sheikh to St. Petersburg, Russia, crashed in the Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people on board. This incident led to a temporary ban on flights between Russia and Sharm El Sheikh, which was lifted in 2021.
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