Cairo airport conducts successful emergency drill

By Mohamed Attia

Cairo Airport Company has conducted a successful emergency drill simulating an electrical malfunction in its automated passenger train system.

The scenario involved a reported failure in the air compressor of the train, leading to smoke inside a transit carriage and the train stopping 50 metres from the multi-storey parking station toward the commercial mall station. A passenger was also reported injured due to smoke inhalation.

Responding swiftly, teams coordinated efforts to manage the situation. The main operations center was alerted, and a representative from the train operator opened the doors for passenger evacuation. Transit passengers were accompanied by airport security to Terminal 1, while remaining passengers were transported by airport shuttle buses. Emergency and firefighting teams rescued the injured passenger, who was transferred to the hospital via ambulance.

Magdy Ishaq, Chairman of Cairo Airport Company, stated that the drill aligns with guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority. 

It aimed to assess the readiness of personnel and ensure seamless crisis response without disrupting airport operations. Ishaq emphasised the importance of conducting regular drills to strengthen collaboration among all airport departments.

The automated train, a unique feature in African airports, connects Cairo Airport’s three terminals via four stations: Terminal 1, the commercial mall, the multi-storey parking station, and Terminals 2 and 3. The train spans 1,857 meters with two trains operating in opposite directions, each comprising three carriages. It has a capacity of 2,000 passengers per hour per direction and operates 18 hours daily, with six hours reserved for maintenance.

The drill was organized by the Emergency and Crisis Management Department, involving teams from operations, security, engineering, health and safety, public relations, police, civil defense, and medical services, as well as all relevant airport stakeholders.

This exercise reflects the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s commitment, under the leadership of the Egyptian Airports Holding Company, to enhancing training standards across specialties, ensuring efficient responses to potential emergencies.