It serves as the primary hub for Egyptair and Nile Air as well as several other airlines. It is the busiest airport in Africa and one of the busiest airports in the Middle East in terms of total passengers. When American forces left the base at the end of the war, the Civil Aviation Authority took over the facility and began using it for international civil aviation. In , Fraport AG won the management contract to run the airport for eight years, with options to extend the contract twice in one-year increments.
Terminal 1 is the oldest terminal currently in operation, having been inaugurated on 18 March by President Gamal Abdel Nasser. In the early s, work commenced on the renovation of the ground floor, along with the addition of an expanded departure hall containing a mezzanine floor, thereby allowing more natural light into the terminal.
All phases of the project were completed by the end of Terminal 1 was originally used by EgyptAir and several Middle Eastern airlines. However, an increasing number of other foreign carriers, such as Air France and KLM transferred operations from Terminal 2 in The terminal facilities include Departure Hall 1, International Hall 3, and Hall 4 for private and non-commercial aircraft services.
Departures and arrivals are with all airlines departing from Terminal 1 Hall 1, with the exception of Saudia. Most international airlines arrive in Hall 3. Arrival Hall serves international and domestic arrivals. The CAC has inaugurated the "Airport City Concept" to provide an array of services and entertainment facilities to travelers, airport visitors, as well as the general public.
The first phase, a new shopping mall called the 'AirMall' has been built near Terminal 1's International Arrival Hall 3. As of , the facade of the terminal was being upgraded. Terminal 1, Hall 4 is dedicated to private jet and executive jet services. Even though it is referred to as a 'Hall' under Terminal 1 it is operated independently from the commercial passenger terminal.
