Egypt's Minister of Civil Aviation Younes el-Masri announced the commencement of operations for the Sphinx International Airport Oct. 15. The new facility is located 45 kilometers (29 miles) west of Cairo on the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road in Giza governorate. The airport was constructed in just 12 months, and the official opening will be held at the end of the year.

Masri flew on the new facility's inaugural flight and called the Sphinx International Airport a great and important addition to the country that will ease pressure on Cairo International Airport, the idea of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The airport will serve the cities of 6th of October and Sheikh Zayed, as well as six governorates including Fayoum, Beni Suef and Minya.

The airport can accommodate nine large aircraft at a time and will operate charter flights. Those who come from Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh Red Sea cities, for example, to spend a day on the Giza Plateau will now be able to easily return the same day.

The main building consists of an observation tower equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance systems, radar and a water tank for firefighting operations. The facility also boasts thermal monitoring cameras and X-ray detectors. There are 42 service buildings, including a meteorological center and a parking garage with a capacity of 400 cars and 20 buses.