By Mohamed Attia
The Ministry of Civil Aviation continues to organise its preparations for the Umrah season during the blessed month of Ramadan in light of the directives of Minister of Civil Aviation Mohammed Abbas Helmy.
EgyptAir, under the leadership of Engineer Yahia Zakaria, has raised the state of emergency to receive and travel the increasing numbers of pilgrims during the last ten days of Ramadan.
Minister of Civil Aviation Helmi has directed the necessity to maintain the highest level of readiness at the Republic’s airports that organise Umrah flights, especially during the last ten days of Ramadan.
He emphasised ensuring the quality of services provided and providing all necessary facilitations for the guests of the Merciful during travel and upon arrival after performing Umrah, as well as overcoming all obstacles for all other travellers.
Minister Abbas praised the efforts and effective performance demonstrated during the Umrah season, commending the smoothness and efficiency of the operation and the good coordination with all relevant authorities at Cairo Airport, Republic airports, Saudi airports, and maintaining communication 24/7 to monitor developments and prevent congestion during peak periods inside travel halls. Moreover, facilitating the arrival procedures of pilgrims with complete ease.
On another note, EgyptAir’s air bridge for this year’s Umrah season was characterised by great smoothness and coordination, transporting nearly 140,000 pilgrims to the holy lands.
The season also witnessed harmony between EgyptAir teams in the booking and sales group, station workforce, EgyptAir ground services personnel, who went above and beyond, as well as the roles of the facilitation group, maintenance company team, operations officers, and central control.
On the other hand, Cairo Airport Authority, under the leadership of Accountant Magdy Essam, succeeded in organising Umrah flights inside travel halls and arrival in the seasonal flight building designated for EgyptAir Umrah flights, Passenger Terminal 2 designated for Saudi Airlines flights. Cairo Airport Authority has allocated a 24-hour operations room to monitor passenger flow and flight schedules, with immediate intervention to resolve any difficulties that may arise inside the halls, commending the full coordination and effective co-operation with all relevant airport authorities.
Airport sources stated that all responsible parties for the Umrah season at the airport are working to provide all means of comfort for the guests of the Merciful during travel and return, through forming work teams to assist the elderly and people with special needs, in addition to inspecting lighting and performing maintenance on all baggage conveyors, and preparing the tent located in front of the hall for incoming passengers.
On its part, the Quarantine Department at Cairo Airport continued its work during the Ramadan Umrah season, conducting medical examinations on pilgrims, providing them with health awareness, and following up on their health after returning from the holy lands. A source at the Quarantine Department affirmed that any emergency case during travel and return is dealt with medically, indicating that all cases that have arrived from the holy lands so far are normal and ordinary.
Furthermore, the General Directorate of Cairo International Airport Police ensured providing all arrangements and facilitations during the pilgrimage season for the guests of the Holy House of Allah. Airport security authorities also ensured facilitating for pilgrims and securing their groups with the latest security plans, expanding the scope of suspicion in fixed and mobile patrols. Additionally, more passport officers were deployed to expedite the procedures for pilgrims.
