Air Cairo fleet size increased to 26 aircraft
By Mohamed Attia
A new strategy is being adopted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the leadership of Minister of Civil Aviation Mohamed Manar through the establishment of a new entity for low-cost air transport under the umbrella of the holding company for EgyptAir and within the framework of stimulating the movement of domestic and incoming tourism.
The new company, which will be launched after two months, specifically in next October, will be called “Air Sphinx” headed by Yasser Al-Ramly.
For his part, Minister Manar confirmed that EgyptAir launched a low-cost company and operating permits were issued.He pointed out that all major airlines own one or more low-cost companies with other names to provide a different segment for tickets than the parent company offers.
Manar explained that in light of reading the economic conditions and the nature of low-cost aviation, it was necessary for EgyptAir to enter this type of service in order to be able to bring tourists to Egypt.
This step is carried out in coordination and harmony with the Ministry of Tourism so that the entity grows and expands with time.
Manar indicated that the new company, Air Sphinx, is in the process of contracting to lease 9 aircraft during the month of October, and its fleet size is scheduled to increase during the next year.
He said that the nascent company’s planes, being economical, carry specifications that differ in their shape and nature of the services provided in them from traditional planes, as they differ in several technical matters, for example, the lack of distances between seats, as well as that they are single-aisle planes and all of their seats are in economy class.
Also, the luggage storage has certain specifications, which require different types and sizes of bags accompanying the traveler. These types of economic trips also provide prepaid services for any of the services such as meals, drinks and bags, and the scheme of their operation to domestic tourist destinations.
On the other hand, Air Cairo is witnessing a modernisation of its air fleet, as Hussein Sharif, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company, announced the joining of 3 planes this month, including two A320 planes and an ATR72 plane, as part of a deal of 16 planes that Air Cairo will receive before the end of this year.
He added that with the completion of the deal, the number of the company’s aircraft reached 26 aircraft, including 12 A320neo aircraft, 8 A320ceo aircraft, and 6 ATR72-600 aircraft, thus becoming Air Cairo’s second largest carrier in Egypt and the largest low-cost carrier in Africa.
It is worth noting that there is a difference between Air Sphinx and Air Cairo as the second company follows Law No. 159 for companies and EgyptAir owns 60 per cent of its shares.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli had held a meeting to follow up efforts to operate low-cost aviation, in the presence of Minister Manar and Basem Abdul Karim, Assistant Minister of Civil Aviation.
Manar reviewed during the meeting the position of the development work of a number of airports, especially Sharm El-Sheikh and Sphinx International Airports, which aims to promote the civil aviation sector and support the tourism sector and trade movement.
The minister also clarified that the Sphinx International Airport development project is of great importance, especially because the airport is close to the pyramids area, and that its development work aims to make it a global airport equipped with all facilities at the latest international levels.
This comes in addition to relieving pressure on Cairo International Airport, as it will allow the operation of domestic and international flights.
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