Discounts on EgyptAir flights; promotional movie on aircraft screens
By Mohamed Attia
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is intensifying its readiness to receive participants in COP27 climate summit on November 6, where the number of conference guests is expected to reach 40,000 participants, including more than 60 heads of state and kings, in addition to prime ministers and civil society organisations.
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli had inspected a number of development projects taking place at Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport, to see the progress of work in them, including: airstrips, corridors, arrival and departure halls, airport entrances and exits, and site coordination work.
Madbouli praised Sharm el-Sheikh airport’s expansion in the use of digital transformation applications, which contributes to facilitating procedures, pointing to the importance of continuing permanent maintenance and cleaning work to maintain what has been achieved.
He also stressed that the development work witnessed by the airport will contribute to providing an excellent service to the participants in the conference and also increase the capacity and future potential of this facility.
Minister of Civil Aviation Mohamed Abbas Helmy confirmed that the Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport development project is one of the sustainable development projects being implemented in the green city of Sharm el-Sheikh, in preparation for the city’s hosting of the 27th session of COP27.
On the other hand, the minister held an expanded meeting for the members of the Higher Committee for Aviation Security and Facility to find out the security measures and precautionary measures applied at Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh and Egyptian airports.
During the meeting, the minister reviewed insurance and safety plans at Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh airports during the climate summit, in light of the expected intensity of air traffic.
Minister Helmy praised the importance of continuous co-operation and coordination between all relevant security agencies and the authorities operating in the civil aviation sector, stressing the need for continuous and accurate follow-up of security procedures with the application of the highest international standards for security and safety, as well as the importance of the commitment of all parties and companies to implement security plans with precision.
Minister Helmy also met with Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad for coordination between the two ministries regarding all arrangements for Egypt’s hosting of the Cop27.
The minister affirmed that the preparations for the climate summit are at the forefront of the interests of the Ministry of Civil Aviation in light of the political leadership’s directives to bring this global event out, in an honourable manner that befits Egypt’s leading position regionally and internationally and in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development.
The minister referred to the important role of the committee formed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding the follow-up of the organisation and preparations of Egyptian airports in a way that contributes to serving the participants in the conference, facilitating their procedures and overcoming all the difficulties they may face.
The development work at Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport, based on the directives of Engineer Mohamed Saeed Mahrous, President of the Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, includes the expansion of the travel and arrival halls in Terminal (2), the establishment of a VIP building, in addition to the expansion of passenger waiting areas, raising the efficiency of parking spaces in Terminal (2), developing the entry gate to accommodate the largest number of cars.
The use of “green” means of transportation in the aviation sector is also currently being expanded by modernising the transport and equipment fleet of “electric” cars at Sharm el-Sheikh airport in particular and Egyptian airports in general, in addition to installing a solar power plant in coordination with the Ministries of Environment and Electricity at the airport.
On the other hand, EgyptAir, the official carrier of the delegations, headed by Eng. Yehia Zakaria, is working to provide all the necessary facilities and provide the highest level of services to the participating delegations, in addition to organising an advertising campaign for the conference on board its planes and external offices.
The company has also formed work teams from all disciplines to follow up on the developments of the event, remove all obstacles for the participating guests, and facilitate arrival and travel procedures.
A reduction on EgyptAir’s international flights will also be granted to delegates participating in the conference to Sharm el-Sheikh, additional miles for members of the frequent flyer programme, intensification of flights between Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh during the conference period, and direct flights to EgyptAir from London, Frankfurt, Munich, Istanbul, Paris, Dubai , Lagos and Nairobi to Sharm el-Sheikh Airport on November 5.
