EgyptAir Express
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA former Egyptian regional airline and wholly owned EgyptAir subsidiary that operated domestic and nearby international services before being absorbed into its parent.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
EgyptAir Express was a Cairo-based regional airline established by EgyptAir in May 2006 and launched on 1 June 2007. It was created to increase flight frequencies on domestic and regional routes by using smaller aircraft than the parent airline’s mainline fleet. The company operated as a wholly owned subsidiary within the state-owned EgyptAir group and supported the group’s network by serving markets where regional-capacity aircraft were more appropriate. The airline’s operating model centered on short- and medium-haul passenger services. Its fleet included Embraer E170 aircraft, which were used on domestic Egyptian routes and on selected regional and international services. Through EgyptAir’s membership, EgyptAir Express was associated with Star Alliance from July 2008, although it remained a separate operating company until the restructuring that began in 2019. EgyptAir Express also pursued network expansion through fleet and base planning. In January 2018, the company announced plans to establish a base at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport in connection with the expected arrival of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The proposed base was intended to improve connectivity from the Red Sea resort market and potentially support nonstop services to destinations in Italy, Germany, Morocco and India. The plan reflected an effort to use newer, larger regional aircraft to broaden the airline’s reach and improve the efficiency of its network. The brand’s independent corporate existence ended during a restructuring of the EgyptAir group. On 4 November 2019, EgyptAir Express was merged into EgyptAir under a plan associated with Aviation Minister Air Marshal Younes Hamed. After the merger, the Embraer E170 fleet continued in service under the parent’s operating structure while the aircraft were gradually sold. Airbus A220 aircraft were intended to replace the retiring E170s in EgyptAir’s mainline operation. EgyptAir Express ceased independent operations in June 2020 after the final Embraer E170 had been sold. It is therefore a defunct airline brand rather than an active subsidiary, although its former routes, aircraft and regional role became part of EgyptAir’s wider operating history.
History
EgyptAir Express was created in May 2006 as a regional subsidiary of EgyptAir and began commercial operations on 1 June 2007. Its purpose was to give the EgyptAir group additional flexibility on domestic and regional routes. By using smaller aircraft, the subsidiary could provide more frequent service and serve markets that did not necessarily justify the larger aircraft associated with EgyptAir’s mainline operation. The airline was based in Cairo and operated scheduled passenger services within Egypt and to selected regional and international destinations. Its principal operating equipment included Embraer E170 regional jets. These aircraft supported short- and medium-haul flying and allowed the airline to link Cairo and other Egyptian points with nearby markets. EgyptAir Express was wholly owned by EgyptAir and formed part of the wider EgyptAir Holding Company structure. The airline’s relationship with the Star Alliance network came through its parent. EgyptAir joined Star Alliance in July 2008, giving EgyptAir Express an association with the alliance even though the subsidiary did not constitute a separate alliance member in its own right. In January 2018, EgyptAir Express announced plans for a base at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport. The proposal was connected with the planned introduction of Airbus A220-300 aircraft and was intended to expand the destinations available from the Red Sea resort airport. The airline identified possible future services to cities in Italy, Germany, Morocco and India. This plan represented a potential shift from a narrowly regional role toward a broader network supported by newer and somewhat larger aircraft. EgyptAir Express’s separate corporate identity ended in the EgyptAir group restructuring announced in 2019. On 4 November 2019, the subsidiary was completely merged into EgyptAir. The change consolidated the group’s operations and removed EgyptAir Express as an independent airline brand. The Embraer E170 aircraft continued to operate for a period after the merger, but they were gradually sold at approximately one aircraft per month. Airbus A220 aircraft were intended to replace the E170s within EgyptAir’s mainline operation. EgyptAir Express ceased operations in June 2020 after the sale of its final Embraer E170. Its end was therefore the result of organizational consolidation and fleet transition rather than a separately documented bankruptcy or regulatory shutdown. The airline’s former regional function and aircraft became part of the history and operating structure of EgyptAir.
- 2020
Independent operations end
[1]The airline ceases operations in June after the sale of its final Embraer E170.
- 2019
Merger with EgyptAir
[1]EgyptAir Express is completely merged into its parent on 4 November as part of an EgyptAir group restructuring plan.
- 2018
Sharm El Sheikh base is planned
[1]The airline announces a proposed Sharm El Sheikh base linked to incoming Airbus A220-300 aircraft and possible new international routes.
- 2008
Association with Star Alliance begins
[1]The airline becomes associated with Star Alliance through EgyptAir’s membership from July.
- 2007
Commercial operations begin
[1]EgyptAir Express launches scheduled operations on 1 June.
- 2006
EgyptAir Express is established
[1]EgyptAir creates the regional subsidiary in May to increase frequencies on domestic and regional routes with smaller aircraft.
Products and positioning
Regional airline focused on increasing the frequency and geographic coverage of EgyptAir group services with smaller aircraft.
Airline service · 2007
Domestic passenger services
EgyptAir Express operated scheduled flights within Egypt, using regional aircraft to provide additional frequencies and connect markets to the EgyptAir network. Its domestic role was central to the rationale for creating a separate regional subsidiary.
Airline service · 2007
Regional passenger services
The airline served selected regional and nearby international destinations from Egypt. These services used the flexibility of regional jets to connect Cairo and other Egyptian points with markets that could be served more efficiently than with larger mainline aircraft.
Regional aircraft fleet
Embraer E170 operations
The Embraer E170 was the principal aircraft type identified with EgyptAir Express in its later years. After the 2019 merger, the aircraft continued operating within EgyptAir’s structure while being progressively sold, with the final aircraft leaving the fleet before operations ended in 2020.
Fleet development · 2018
Airbus A220-300 fleet plan
EgyptAir Express planned to use Airbus A220-300 aircraft in connection with a proposed Sharm El Sheikh base. The aircraft were expected to support a broader destination network, but the plan was overtaken by the merger into EgyptAir and the end of the subsidiary’s independent operations.
Brand decisions
2020
Retirement of the Embraer E170 fleetGeneration changeBackground
Following the merger, EgyptAir planned to transition away from the subsidiary’s Embraer E170 fleet.
Action taken
The E170 aircraft were sold progressively, with the final aircraft sold before EgyptAir Express ceased operations.
Aftermath
EgyptAir Express ended independent operations in June 2020, while Airbus A220 aircraft were intended to serve the replacement role in EgyptAir’s mainline operation.
2019
Consolidation into EgyptAirM&ABackground
The EgyptAir group pursued a restructuring intended to consolidate the regional subsidiary with its parent airline.
Action taken
EgyptAir Express was completely merged into EgyptAir on 4 November 2019.
Aftermath
The separate EgyptAir Express brand and corporate operation ended. Embraer E170 aircraft continued temporarily under the parent structure and were progressively sold.
2018
Plan for a Sharm El Sheikh operating baseStrategyBackground
EgyptAir Express sought to expand service from the Red Sea resort market and connect it with a wider set of international destinations.
Action taken
The airline announced a proposed base at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport tied to the planned arrival of Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
Aftermath
The proposed expansion was superseded by the later merger of EgyptAir Express into EgyptAir, so the subsidiary did not continue as an independent operator.
Sources1 sources
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