Civil Aviation Authority plans for private sector collaboration, airport development

By Mohamed Attia

Ayman Fawzy Arab, Chairman of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, has outlined ambitious plans for enhancing the country’s airport management and infrastructure. 

Speaking after a recent emergency drill at Cairo International Airport, Arab emphasised that the human capital in Egypt’s airports is one of the sector’s strongest assets. He also highlighted the importance of involving the private sector in the management and development of airports, not for privatisation but for modernisation and growth.

Arab explained that private sector involvement will bring flexibility and innovation, enabling the country to meet global investment standards while maintaining state oversight. “The private sector can help us seize new investment opportunities in line with global standards, while the state retains a key role in management to ensure a balanced and harmonious operation,” he said. 

Arab stressed that this collaboration would be based on past experiences, both domestically and internationally, while avoiding mistakes and reinforcing positive aspects.

Arab also announced comprehensive plans to improve various aspects of the aviation sector simultaneously, ranging from administrative and operational matters to ongoing projects. This approach aims to ensure balanced development across all areas without neglecting any aspect.

Reflecting on challenges facing Egyptian airports compared to their international counterparts, Arab described these as opportunities for improvement. He emphasised the need to learn from global experiences but adapt them to Egypt’s unique landscape and infrastructure. 

Arab added that the future of Egypt’s airports could involve “smart” management systems and the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making processes.

During the emergency drill at Cairo Airport, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and representatives from Cairo Airport Company, authorities simulated a hydraulic system failure in an aircraft with 40 passengers and five crew members. 

The aircraft attempted an emergency landing but veered off the runway and caught fire. Emergency teams, including firefighters, police, and ambulances, responded quickly, extinguishing the fire and rescuing the injured.

Magdy Isaac Azar, Chairman of Cairo Airport Company, stressed the importance of these drills in ensuring the readiness of Egypt’s airports to handle emergencies. “These exercises are crucial for maintaining airport safety and security standards, both locally and internationally, and are required for renewing airport operation licenses,” he said. 

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has emphasised the continuous training of personnel and the importance of regular emergency drills to ensure that Egyptian airports meet global safety and security standards, in line with ICAO and Egypt’s Civil Aviation Authority regulations.