By Mohamed Attia
A delegation from Egypt’s Civil Aviation Authority visited the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Washington, D.C., to enhance co-operation and exchange expertise in aviation security. This visit aligns with directives from Samah El-Hefny, Egypt’s Civil Aviation Minister, to strengthen collaboration with international counterparts across all civil aviation activities.
Led by Pilot Amr El-Sharqawy, head of the Civil Aviation Authority, the Egyptian delegation detailed the security measures and protocols implemented at Egyptian airports. They highlighted Egypt’s efforts to upgrade airport security systems, incorporating advanced global technologies to ensure the safety of passengers, facilities, and flights in accordance with international standards. The discussions also covered several joint projects, including the Advance Passenger Information (API) system and Passenger Name Record (PNR) to improve passenger data processing. Additionally, they discussed the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) system to identify potential threats before they reach Egyptian borders. Plans for an anti-human trafficking summit in Egypt, involving civil aviation authorities from Africa and the Middle East, were also on the agenda to develop comprehensive strategies against this and other aviation security concerns.
The American delegation expressed gratitude to Minister El-Hefny for Egypt’s rigorous security measures and consistent oversight. They praised the efforts of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority in combating human trafficking and irregular migration between Egypt and the US. The US officials welcomed ongoing co-operation and committed to providing support and expertise.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue working together and to enhance effective collaboration to advance aviation security, ensuring the highest safety and security standards for travelers, in line with international regulations.
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