By Mohamed Attia
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and in co-operation with the African Aviation, EgyptAir Holding Company hosts the 31st edition of the International Conference on Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul in Africa and the Middle East (MRO) 2023 and the 10th African Aviation Training Conference and Exhibition, held in Cairo on February 5-7, 2023.
The event witnesses the participation of Minister of Civil Aviation Mohamed Abbas, head of the Civil Aviation Authority Amr el-Sharqawi, Yehia Zakaria, Board Chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, and representatives of civil aviation sector from various countries as well as regional and international organisations.
Representatives of a galaxy of airlines and aviation experts took part in the event, including about 600 senior airline, aviation and regulatory officials from all over Africa, as well as senior officials from MRO organizations, supply companies, aircraft manufacturers and international companies involved in aircraft and engine leasing, aviation finance, aviation insurance and airline support services.
The exhibition brings together under one roof major companies working in the field of aircraft maintenance and overhaul in Africa and the Middle East, in addition to aircraft manufacturers, engines, spare parts suppliers and aviation technology companies from around the world.
In his speech, Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Abbas said Egypt is always keen on building bridges of communication with African brethren and all friendly nations all over the world, for a growing and improving civil aviation sector in Africa and beyond.
Abbas added that his ministry had managed to face up to the challenges affecting the global civil aviation industry, thanks to the political leadership’s support.
He pointed out that as part of the State’s comprehensive development strategy, the ministry carried on with its improvement projects without laying off any of its employees.
He noted that five new airports have been established; while other airports have seen their infrastructure upgraded to improve the quality of passenger services and enhance aviation safety and security, in conformity with the latest relevant international standards.
Minister Abbas asserted that in line with the State’s environmental conservation strategy, the ministry has been working on making its airports environmentally friendly, while increasing efficiency of aviation systems.
He added that a national airspace centre had also been set up to facilitate the growing air traffic at Egyptian airports.
The minister said that this event is a promising marketing opportunity for various aircraft maintenance activities and the provision of various technical and training services.
The conference sessions offered multi-topic discussion panels with the participation of the most prominent aviation experts in the region, aiming to exchange experiences and present innovative solutions to problems facing the aviation sector in general and aircraft maintenance and training in particular.
For his part, African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Secretary-General Abdérahmane Berthé thanked Egypt for hosting the conference and exhibition event, expressing hopes that it will lead to the adoption of unified African visions and frameworks that help in optimising human resources of Africa’s civil aviation sector.
Nick Fadugba, CEO of African Aviation Services, thanked the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which is always keen to strengthen the Egyptian presence in Africa, adding that Egypt was one of the first countries to host the first edition of this event in 1992.
The head of the Association of African Aviation Training Organisations (ATO) praised Egypt’s role in supporting African co-operation in the field of aviation and training, referring to the ATO’s role to develop air transport services across the African continent in line with the regulations of international organisations.
Meanwhile, speakers in the opening ceremony focused on the challenges that face the aviation industry in Africa, sustainable development, and modern strategies to develop a roadmap towards the future of aviation in the continent.
They also agreed that aircraft maintenance and training are pillars for the aspired development of the aviation sector that require further focus and attention in order to get the desired outcome.
The conference sessions tackle many issues of interest for MROs and training organisations that aim at concluding better solutions for many obstacles.
Following the official opening of the conference, the minister of civil aviation toured the pavilion of participating companies.
On top of his tour, the minister visited EgyptAir booth where he witnessed the signing ceremony of an agreement between EgyptAir Maintenance and Engineering and Petra Aerospace.
During bilateral meetings at the expo, EgyptAir Maintenance and Engineering Co. signed four cooperation agreements with Saudi, Jordanian, Serbian, and US companies.
