Marsa Alam’s long-awaited Berenice International Airport has finally opened its gates and welcomed its first arrivals.

A special ceremonial gift was bestowed upon the ِEgyptAir passenger plane which carried 60 passengers: the time-honoured tradition of a Water Salute. The universal ritual involves spraying water above the landing aeroplane as it completes its inaugural flight to form a cute aquatic arch. It’s sort of an aeronautical baptism.

After various delays to its official opening, Berenice International Airport - located approximately 50km south of Wadi El Gamal National Park in the Marsa Alam region of the Red Sea governorate - comes as a boost for the country’s tourism industry as it recovers from the global travel disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a capacity to hold 600 passengers per hour in its terminal, the new airport boasts a 3.6 km air corridor which can accommodate up to eight aircrafts.

At a cost of EGP 2.3 billion, the airport is considered of major importance as it brings travellers to a Red Sea region rich with touristic gems.