Mohamed Attia
Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Sameh Hefni, has held high-level talks with a delegation from Qatar’s Fahad Al-Thani Group, led by Sheikh Fahad bin Faisal Al-Thani, to explore potential investment co-operation in the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The meeting was attended by Engineer Amr Nagaty, Permanent Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation; Engineer Heba Allah Hazen, Founder and Executive Partner of the Egyptian-Qatari Company for Sustainable Fuel Production; and Captain Karim Jamil, Advisor to the Head of the Civil Aviation Authority.
Discussions centred on a number of strategic initiatives, foremost among them a proposal to establish a sustainable aviation fuel plant in Egypt. The project aligns with the country’s broader commitment to supporting the green economy and strengthening its position within the rapidly evolving global aviation sector.
Hefni underscored Egypt’s ambition to become a regional hub for low-carbon aviation, affirming the ministry’s readiness to provide comprehensive support and technical facilitation for the project. This includes enabling access to advanced global technologies and ensuring adherence to the highest standards of efficiency and safety, in line with the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“Environmental challenges are now at the forefront of the global aviation agenda, particularly as the industry works toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Hefni said, noting that the target set by ICAO makes the expansion of sustainable aviation fuel usage increasingly imperative.
The minister also highlighted Egypt’s strong potential in this field, citing its abundant natural resources and competitive advantages, including ongoing upgrades to civil aviation infrastructure and firm commitment to international emissions-reduction frameworks.
He added that the ministry has adopted a comprehensive development strategy for the sector, prioritising innovation and the deployment of clean technologies. This approach is supported by efforts to foster a conducive investment climate through partnerships with leading international players, with the aim of localising advanced technologies and maximising their environmental and economic benefits.
For his part, Sheikh Fahad bin Faisal Al-Thani expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed the group’s interest in expanding its footprint in Egypt. He noted that the group’s expertise positions it well to implement joint projects that support sustainable growth and enhance the efficiency of the aviation sector at both regional and global levels.
