Egypt’s Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday conducted a pilot operation of the New Administrative Capital Airport (NACA), which was built to promote tourism and help alleviate the burden of Cairo International Airport, according to a ministry statement.

“The new airport, 45 kilometers east of the capital, will contribute to developing the Suez and Ain Sokhna ports where logistic and industrial zones will be set up to become an international logistic and industrial hub,” said Wael al-Nashar, chairman of the Egyptian Company for Airports.

The new airport is set to connect the areas of East Cairo and cities of Shorou, Badr and the Suez Canal, al-Nashar said.

It is equipped with highly advanced technology especially for the security systems and X-ray machines for baggage inspection.

The new airport will have the capacity to accommodate 300 passengers per hour, with 45 buildings around the place and a main terminal covering an area of over 5,000 square meters, which will help ease the load on Cairo International Airport, al-Nashar added.

The NACA, whose construction began in 2015, will have eight car parks, which can take up to 500 cars and 20 buses.