By Mohamed Attia
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli held a recent meeting with Minister of Civil Aviation Mohamed Abbas, during which they discussed a number of files to boost air transport sector.
The prime minister stressed the importance of sustaining work and exerting all possible efforts to provide incentive programmes in the aviation sector, given that this vital sector is one of the main axes in the success of economic development plans.
Madbouli said that the Egyptian government has drawn up a clear and comprehensive plan enabling us to reach 30 million tourists by the end of the year, in addition to attracting more incoming tourism to Egyptian marvelous destinations across the country.
This, in turn, contributes to supporting the national economy and keeping pace with the Egypt’s Vision 2030 and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The prime minister thanked the minister of civil aviation and all the staff working in the ministry and its subsidiaries for the great efforts exerted in the organisation of the UN climate change conference, widely known as COP27, which was held in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh during the period from November 6-19.
He praised their effective role in organising such a global event as they made positive impressions in the minds of the guests taking part in this conference from all over the world.
During the meeting, Minister Abbas said that his ministry is working round the clock to achieve sustainable development in the aviation sector with the chief aim of making it the most competitive in the world.
The step came in line with the State’s vision to upgrade national airports and equip them with the latest technological facilities as per the highest global specifications and standards. This will contribute to the resilience of the local economy, the minister said.
Abbas said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has worked hard, in co-operation and coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, to expand incentivising programmes, which aimed to reinvigorate the incoming tourism movement and encourage more foreign tourists to visit Egypt and enjoy its marvelous sites nationwide.
He pointed out his ministry has made great strides in the operation of low-cost air system, after agreeing on a number of regulations governing the new system.
The minister said that since the implementation of the low-cost air system, the ministry senior officials is working hard to increase aircraft fleet. “There is a comprehensive plan to double the number of aircraft allocated for the operation of this system to facilitate the company’s flights to tourist destinations,” Minister Abbas said.
He referred to the efforts exerted by the national air carrier to offer the high-quality services to delegations participating in the COP27, in addition to resolving all problems concerning ticket bookings and their travel timetables.
Abbas said that all EgyptAir companies and affiliated subsidiaries have performed a great role to provide best facilities to guests attending the global climate change summit.
The minister of civil aviation affirmed that he met a number of delegations during the conference and listened to their points of view on the services and facilitations offered to them on board EgyptAir planes and at Egyptian airports. They expressed their appreciation for the efforts exerted by the national air carrier, which made COP27 a great success.
Abbas said that his ministry is always seeking to satisfy the desires of all tourists coming to Egypt from all over the world.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has managed over the past period to address the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis and the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Minister Abbas said that his ministry has launched a number of development projects to upgrade the aviation sector and increase the capacity of airports, under Eng. Mohamed Saeed Mahrous, chairman of Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation (EHCAAN).
The capacity of Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport was increased to 10 million passengers annually instead of 7.5 million.
During the meeting, the minister said that his ministry has also developed the Sphinx International Airport and raised its capacity to 1.250 million passengers annually, which contributes to linking tourist destinations and archaeological sites.
As for EgyptAir Holding Company, under the chairman of Yehia Zakaria, the minister said the company has developed a plan to increase its air fleet and expand its air network. This, in turn, contributes to attracting more tourists to Egypt.
Concluding the meeting, Minister Abbas said that his ministry has also developed Hurghada Airport and St. Catherine airport, raising capacity to 23 million passengers and 800,000 passengers respectively.
