By Mohamed Atiya
As part of his official visit to the United Kingdom, Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation, held a formal meeting with Mr. Mike Kane, the British Minister for Aviation Security at the Department for Transport. The meeting took place at the UK Ministry of Aviation in London and was attended by Egypt’s Ambassador to the UK, Mr. Sherif Kamel, alongside several officials from the British Embassy in Cairo.
The visit was conducted upon the joint invitation of the British Embassy in Cairo, the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce (EBCC), and the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA). The discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of air transport, enhancing coordination on aviation security and safety, developing airport infrastructure, and advancing sustainability and environmental initiatives. Additionally, both sides deliberated on preparations for the upcoming General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and coordinated on issues of mutual interest.
At the outset of the meeting, Dr. El-Hefny expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, commending the historical and strategic ties between Egypt and the UK in the civil aviation sector. He emphasized the importance of reinforcing partnerships to achieve the highest standards of aviation security and safety while supporting sustainable development initiatives within the industry.
Dr. El-Hefny further highlighted the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with international partners to exchange expertise and adopt the latest technological advancements. These efforts aim to improve passenger services and optimize aviation operations. He also noted that Egypt’s civil aviation sector is actively working to position the country as a regional aviation hub through expansion and modernization projects that align with the rapidly growing global air traffic industry. The objective is to establish a pioneering model that reflects the sector’s vision for a more prosperous future.
For his part, Mr. Mike Kane expressed his appreciation for the meeting, emphasizing the depth of the longstanding relationship between the UK and Egypt across various sectors, particularly in civil aviation. He reaffirmed the commitment to continuous cooperation and coordination to enhance aviation security, safety, and airport infrastructure development.
Mr. Kane also noted that the meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss ways to further strengthen partnerships in air transport, environmental sustainability, and ongoing preparations for the ICAO General Assembly.
At the conclusion of the visit, Dr. El-Hefny and his accompanying delegation highlighted the significance of the visit, which included a series of fruitful discussions and engagements with British aviation companies. These interactions contributed to deepening mutual cooperation and enhancing civil aviation activities. Furthermore, the Minister extended an invitation to the British delegation to visit Egypt in the near future for a reciprocal tour to explore ongoing development projects within Egypt’s civil aviation sector.
