Egypt has ranked first at the African level in air cargo, and second in passenger traffic in 2016, thanks to its achievements, the aviation minister said, citing new figures from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The world body also granted its head's air safety award to Cairo during a ministerial conference in Sharm ElSheikh, Sherif Fathi said on Friday in a press release.

Fathi expressed appreciation for all workers in the civil aviation sector for their efforts which secured the top African ranking for Egypt.

"The new achievement reflected the interest of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the government to increase investments in the field," he said.

Egypt's Cairo airport accounted for 340,000 tons of the total African cargo in 2016 which hit 2.2 million tons, the statement quoted Mohamed Mahrous, the chairman of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Aviation, as saying.

South Africa's Johannesburg airport came second with 310,000 tons, added the statement.

Source: MENA