Alexandria International Airport — Alexandria, Egypt

West of Alexandria proper, HBE took shape near the town of Burg al-Arab to relieve pressure on the older, more centrally located Alexandria airport, which today handles mostly military and limited traffic rather than commercial flights. Alexandria itself remains Egypt's second-largest city and its main Mediterranean port, a place layered with ancient history from the Ptolemaic era alongside a modern industrial economy built around shipping, textiles, and petrochemicals. The newer airport's location farther from the coastline reflects planning decisions aimed at accommodating larger aircraft and future growth without the space constraints of the old seaside field. Passengers heading to Alexandria's corniche, its Greco-Roman catacombs, or the rebuilt Bibliotheca Alexandrina library typically now arrive through this facility rather than downtown. Seasonal demand rises considerably during summer months, when Egyptians from Cairo and elsewhere flock to Alexandria's beaches to escape inland heat.