Private jet on the tarmac at Sphinx International Airport (HESX)

Book your private flight to Sphinx International Bespoke private jet charter SPX

Fly to or from Sphinx International Airport (SPX/HESX) by private jet with Private Jets Connect, your specialist broker. Comfort, discretion and fast access to Cairo, Gizeh and Pyramides.

Sphinx International: Cairo's dedicated private jet gateway to the Pyramids

Sphinx International Airport (HESX) is ideal for private jet travel to Giza and the Pyramids, located just 10 km away (15-20 min drive). For Cairo city centre (Tahrir Square), it’s 40-45 km, taking 45-70 minutes.

The airport operates 24/7 with no curfew, slots, or PPR required, offering significant flexibility over Cairo International (HECA). Its 3,650-meter runway accommodates all aircraft types, from light jets to heavy long-range jets.

The Aviary FBO provides VIP lounges and on-site customs/immigration, ensuring a swift and private experience.

While HESX is excellent for business and tourism in Giza, for destinations closer to Cairo’s eastern districts, Cairo International (HECA) might be more convenient if your aircraft type and schedule allow.

Sphinx International

Your dedicated agent

How we accompany you

Your dedicated Private Jets Connect advisor takes your Sphinx flight in hand from the first call. We coordinate the ECAA landing permit, brief the ground team, confirm your transfer, and stay reachable by phone or WhatsApp until you are in the car.

Permit and regulatory filing handled on your behalf
Ground team briefed, Aviary or Menzies lounge pre-confirmed
Transfer arranged to the Pyramids, the museum, or Cairo centre

Chat on WhatsApp Request a quote

Which aircraft for a flight through Sphinx International

Sphinx’s runway stretches 3,650 metres, which opens the field to virtually every aircraft in the private fleet, from compact jets on regional hops to wide-cabin jets capable of flying non-stop to New York or Singapore.

If your group is large or your destination is far, the infrastructure is here; smaller aircraft land and turn around just as smoothly.

Regional hops

Dubai · Riyadh · Amman

A light jet covers the Gulf states and the Levant with ease. Two to six passengers, minimal formalities, and you are airborne minutes after boarding. Sphinx's low commercial traffic keeps turnarounds quick.

Regional hops — Very Light Jet — Regional hops **Very Light Jet**

European connections

Paris · London · Geneva

A midsize or super-midsize jet reaches the main European capitals non-stop in roughly four to five hours. Comfortable club seating, a proper galley, and enough range to land direct at your chosen airport without a fuel stop.

European connections — Midsize Jet — European connections **Midsize Jet**

Intercontinental travel

New York · Singapore · Miami

A heavy or ultra-long-range jet opens the long routes direct: to the US East Coast, Southeast Asia, or beyond. The runway at Sphinx accommodates these aircraft at full payload, so you board once and arrive.

Intercontinental travel — Heavy Jet — Intercontinental travel **Heavy Jet**

The airfield

Sphinx International, a former military base

Opened in 2019, Sphinx International Airport was once the Cairo West military airbase. It sits on the western side of Greater Cairo, in the Giza Governorate.

The airport is positioned as Cairo’s second airport, dedicated to private and charter flights, easing congestion at Cairo International (HECA). It is classified as a “medium international airport.”

Before you fly

What changes your trip

A few rules at Sphinx International change the hour you land, the aircraft you take, and how long it can wait. We deal with each one before you confirm.

A permit is required for every flight

Every foreign-registered private or charter flight into Egypt needs an ECAA (Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority) landing permit.

This is not just a formality; it requires submitting detailed information about the flight, including the purpose of travel, a complete list of all passengers and crew, and aircraft documentation. The standard processing time is a minimum of four working days.

For medical emergencies, it can be as quick as three hours. Any change to the flight schedule, route, aircraft registration, or passenger list after approval requires a permit revision.

We handle this entire process for you, ensuring all approvals are in place before your departure.

Egyptian nationals on board need extra approval

If any Egyptian nationals are traveling on a foreign-registered private aircraft, separate approval from the Egyptian authorities is required. This list must be submitted with the initial permit application. We manage this specific requirement to ensure all passengers are cleared for travel.

The aircraft can wait for your return

While you are in Giza or Cairo, your aircraft can remain parked at Sphinx International. Jet A-1 fuel is available on-site, so the aircraft can refuel and be ready for your departure. Both short-term and long-term parking options are available.

There are no aircraft maintenance services at the airport, which we consider for longer stays or specific operational needs.

On arrival

Sphinx International Airport: Aerojet Services and AviaVIP Sphinx

Main terminal arrival with full ground handling

Sphinx International Airport operates as a joint military and civilian field approximately 35 minutes from central Cairo. Aerojet Services Sphinx and AviaVIP Sphinx in Kerdasa provide ramp handling, customs clearance, fuel coordination, and passenger assistance through immigration and baggage claim.

Customs and immigration are available around the clock, subject to holiday schedules. The Pearl business lounge sits in the international departures area after security, between gates 5 and 8, with a three-hour maximum stay.

The airport has no dedicated FBO or separately documented executive terminal, and crew re-access to the airside is limited.

Ground access

From the aircraft to the city

From Sphinx, the Pyramids of Giza are a 15 to 20-minute drive in normal traffic. The Grand Egyptian Museum is 10 to 15 minutes away. Cairo city centre, around Tahrir Square, is roughly 40 to 45 km and takes between 45 and 70 minutes depending on traffic.

There is no direct metro or public bus link to central Cairo. Uber and Careem both operate from the airport. A private shuttle service also runs to Giza and Cairo hotels, with journey times of around 45 to 60 minutes to the city centre.

Plan your Cairo and Giza visit on our Egypt destination page →

A bespoke experience

Real luxury
is you.

No queues, no protocol, no compromise. Your flight adapts to you: your schedule, your wishes, your pace. You are at the centre of every detail.

Book your flight

Dining on board

The table,
made to measure.

Egypt's rich culinary heritage lends itself beautifully to in-flight dining: freshly prepared mezze, slow-cooked lamb, warm flatbread, and seasonal produce from the Nile Delta, complemented by champagnes and fine wines selected for your flight. Every menu is composed to order.

Compose my menu

Rates & routes

Sample private jet prices via Sphinx International

Indicative fares from Sphinx International. Your agent confirms a precise quote for your dates and aircraft.

Route	Duration	Super Midsize Jet 8-12 pax	Heavy Jet 10-14 pax	Ultra Long Range 12-19 pax

An empty leg to Sphinx International,
if the sky lines up.

An empty leg to or from Sphinx International is a repositioning flight already on the schedule: the aircraft needs to reach another base or its next mission. These trips are offered at a reduced fare, often around 30% to 75% off a classic charter, in exchange for less flexibility on dates and routing.

On every enquiry, we systematically scan the sky for these opportunities. The goal: whenever possible, a more competitive quote, on price as well as on the aircraft category available.

Request an exact quote

Security, passport control and customs

One building for formalities

Sphinx operates its own international customs and immigration facility, open 24 hours a day. Private passengers arriving at Aviary FBO clear passport control inside the lounge, without entering the public terminal.

Departures follow the same dedicated path: documents checked in a private setting, with your ground team present throughout.

What that means for you

Passport and visa formalities take place in a private lounge, not a public hall
Visa on arrival is available for many nationalities at approximately 25 USD, processed at the airport
No curfew means late-night and early-morning flights clear through the same process as any other departure
Your ground team coordinates with customs in advance so there are no last-minute surprises

The other Cairo airports

Cairo International Airport (HECA), the main Cairo hub, lies approximately 55 km from Sphinx on the eastern edge of the metropolitan area.

When your schedule, hotel, or business appointment is based on that side of the city, HECA is the natural alternative, and we compare both airports for every Cairo-area enquiry.

When it fits

Cairo International serves the eastern and central districts of the city, closer to Nile-side hotels and the main business quarter. If your ground destination is on that side, routing through HECA may save meaningful transfer time.

How it affects the quote

Cairo International operates under a slot and PPR regime, which adds lead time compared to Sphinx. Ground fees, service rates, and permit requirements differ between the two airports. We present both options with a clear cost and logistics breakdown so you can choose with confidence.

Our advisors compare both Cairo-area airports on your exact itinerary. Explore Cairo and Giza on our Egypt destination page →

CAI

Curfew

Cairo International

Private business-aviation airport

FBO

4000 m

Runway

About 15 km from the Zamalek and central Cairo business district

Capital International Airport

Private business-aviation airport

FBO

3652 m

Runway

About 45 to 55 km east of central Cairo (sources vary on reference point)

Center

View private flights

Private flight from Sphinx International Airport

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know to organize your private flight from Sphinx International Airport with Private Jets Connect.

How do I book a private jet to or from Sphinx International?

To book a private jet to or from Sphinx International, simply contact Private Jets Connect. Our experts are available 24/7 to help organize your tailored flight. We take into account your preferences, passenger count, preferred aircraft type and schedule to propose the best option — comfort, flexibility and discretion included.

Who can book a private flight to or from Sphinx International?

Private Jets Connect is your dedicated partner for private jet bookings to or from Sphinx International. As a specialized air charter broker, we give you access to our network of certified operators, personalized advice and end-to-end trip management from take-off to landing.

What does a private jet to or from Sphinx cost?

Every quote is tailored: aircraft type, routing, number of passengers, and travel dates all shape the price. The ECAA landing permit is included in our full service. There is no published rate card; all pricing is provided on request.

Which aircraft can land at Sphinx?

The runway is 3,650 metres long, which accommodates the full spectrum of private aviation, from light jets on short regional legs to the largest heavy and ultra-long-range jets on transatlantic routes. No private aircraft category is excluded by runway length at this airport.

How far in advance should I book?

Egypt’s ECAA landing permit takes a minimum of four working days from submission, and any post-approval change to flight time, aircraft, or the passenger list restarts the process. We recommend booking at least one week ahead for standard trips; urgent medical operations qualify for expedited three-hour clearance.

Can I fly at night or very early in the morning?

Yes. Sphinx has no curfew. Customs, immigration, and ground services operate 24 hours a day. A late-night arrival or a pre-dawn departure clears through exactly the same process as any midday flight.