Egypt International Airshow 2024: Wings Over El Alamein

The Egypt International Airshow 2024 opened under the blazing desert sun on 3 September 2024, transforming El Alamein International Airport from a quiet coastal airfield and usually fenced off military installation into the epicentre of Middle Eastern aviation. With President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in attendance and the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) playing a central organisational role, the debut event was both a showcase of power and a statement of intent: Egypt aims to anchor itself as a regional hub for aerospace and defense.

The Desert Debut: Egypt’s First International Airshow

El Alamein’s location—some 250 kilometres west of Cairo—offered vast aprons and uncluttered skies ideal for aerial display. The remoteness, while challenging for logistics, provided an uncluttered stage for an ambitious first performance. Industry observers noted that the venue’s open desert terrain gave pilots and photographers unprecedented visibility and safety margins.

Egyptian Air Force at Center Stage

The EAF did host the event and dominated the static display. The Silver Stars aerobatic team opened proceedings in their locally-assembled K-8E Karakoram trainers, carving crisp white loops across the turquoise horizon. Their routine was the daily heartbeat of the show, applauded by visiting delegations and trade visitors alike. Unfortunately, no other Egyptian planes were part of the flying display, even though a large(r) participation of the EAF has been announced beforehand, and the promotion videos for the airshow presented EAF fighter jets flying in formation above El Alamein. Therefore, backlit K-8E trainer aircraft were the biggest yield for the die-hard plane spotter.

On the ground, Egypt’s operational strength was unmistakable. Rows of MiG-29M/M2, F-16C/D, Rafale EM/DM, and Mirage 2000EM fighters gleamed under the sun beside workhorse transports and helicopters. A weather-beaten C-130H Hercules served as both exhibit and symbol—the living backbone of Egypt’s airlift fleet. During the show, Lockheed Martin confirmed Egypt’s first order for two C-130J-30 Super Hercules, with deliveries scheduled from 2026—a clear indicator of modernization.

A Global Gathering of Wings

EIAS 2024 drew aircraft and crews from every direction, underscoring Cairo’s strategy of open partnerships. China sent its Bayi Aerobatic Team with agile J-10s, which performed once during the opening days before moving to static display. The imposing Xian Y-20 Kunpeng heavy transport made a short but memorable appearance in flight before joining the ground exhibits. Turkey’s TAI Hürjet, on its regional demonstration debut, impressed crowds with its clean, precise passes and afterburner climbs.

Across the ramp, Qatar Emiri Air Force celebrated its 50th anniversary by exhibiting a C-17A Globemaster III, Eurofighter Typhoon, NH90, and AH-64E Apache, each flown in from Doha—a diplomatic gesture highlighting close defense ties. Western giants Leonardo, Raytheon, GE Aerospace, and Lockheed Martin joined regional manufacturers, making the static park a living catalogue of global industry.

Aerobatics and Power in the Skies

The flying program ran daily and blended home-grown pride with international flair. The Rafale Demo Team from France performed every day, demonstrating the aircraft’s super-maneuverability and reaffirming Egypt’s deepening partnership with Dassault Aviation. The Saudi Hawks, China’s August 1st and Indian Sarang helicopter teams added color, smoke, and rhythm to the program, while the UAE Air Force contributed fast-jet fly-pasts with Mirage 2000-9 and F-16E Block 60 fighters.

Even France and Greece joined the show’s dynamic ranks. A Hellenic Air Force Zeus Demo Team offered crowd-pleasing precision with its own Fighting Falcon routine. The variety of participants—European, Asian, Gulf, and North American—gave EIAS 2024 the cosmopolitan air of a much older event.

Though day one was delayed by several hours due to what organizers described as “essential security and maintenance procedures,” the interruption did little to dull enthusiasm. Once airborne, the show’s rhythm returned, culminating with the Silver Stars’ formation loops catching the last light over the Mediterranean shore.

Technology, Training, and Procurement Signals

Beyond spectacle, the event carried clear industrial messages. Egypt’s procurement priorities were on open display. The C-130J order confirmed the start of a crucial fleet renewal, while the country’s search for a new Light Attack / Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LAH/LIFT) platform brought fierce competition to El Alamein. Demonstrations by the Leonardo M-346FA/M-345, Aero L-39NG, and the TAI Hürjet all aimed to court Cairo’s decision-makers, while Chinese and South Korean firms showcased the L-15 and FA-50 in model form. The outcome of this contest could define Egypt’s pilot training pipeline and light-combat doctrine for the next generation.

The wide geopolitical mix—Chinese, American, Turkish, Gulf, and European aircraft sharing one tarmac—reflected Egypt’s pragmatic policy of balance. This multi-vector approach allows Cairo to maintain autonomy in procurement and to signal that it remains open to partnership with any nation that respects its sovereignty and industrial goals.

Growing Pains and Promising Horizons

No first-time event unfolds flawlessly. Security bottlenecks, heat, and transport logistics tested patience of some trade visitors, yet the general consensus among exhibitors and visitors was positive. Roughly 200 companies exhibited, and an estimated 15,000 trade visitors attended across the three days. For a debut in a brand-new venue, those numbers represented a solid start.

Observers praised the professionalism of Egyptian crews, the breadth of the flying program, and the seamless coordination between civil aviation and the military host. The atmosphere balanced formality with enthusiasm—a mixture of national pride and global curiosity that echoed through every hangar and hospitality chalet.

Looking Ahead to EIAS 2026

When the engines finally cooled on 5 September, Egypt had achieved what many doubted possible: a credible, international-standard airshow staged entirely on its soil. The government and show organizers have already expressed intent to return in 2026, promising larger civil participation and expanded exhibition space. If logistical lessons are learned and momentum sustained, the Egypt International Airshow could mature into the African and Mediterranean complement to Dubai and Farnborough.

For aviation professionals, the event provided also an outstanding overview of military hardware from the Middle East region.

For now, El Alamein stands as proof that Egypt’s aviation ambitions are more than rhetoric. Between the roar of the Rafales, the thunder of the Y-20, and the precision of the Silver Stars, the desert skies delivered a message of capability and confidence—one that will echo well beyond Egypt’s borders.

Egypt International Airshow El Alamein 2024 – Photo Gallery