By Mohamed Attia
Over the past two weeks, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, under the leadership of Minister Mohamed Abbas Helmy, succeeded in organising air traffic in light of the high intensity of operation during the COP27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh airports were able to receive and bid farewell to 40,000 participants, including more than 60 heads of state and kings, in addition to prime ministers and civil society organisations without any problems or obstacles.
Preparations have been intensified at Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh International Airports, in coordination between various companies and all authorities concerned as work teams from various disciplines have been formed to work around the clock to speed up the procedures for the arrival and farewell of participating delegations.
Until the end of the conference, the Cairo Airport Company allocated counters to complete the arrival and travel procedures for the delegates of the climate summit.
Hospitality and VIP breaks were prepared in the arrival and travel halls, and a shuttle bus was provided between the three buildings of Cairo International Airport (1, 2 and 3) to transport the participating delegations.
Sharm el-Sheikh Airport also succeeded in receiving and bidding farewell to the conference delegates, after it was developed to accommodate 10 million passengers annually instead of 7.5 million passengers.
The aircraft parking lots were increased to 67 places to accommodate the increased air traffic.
For its part, EgyptAir, headed by Eng. Yehia Zakaria, organised about 250 flights between Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh airports to transport about 40,000 participants in the conference with the company’s latest aircraft, in addition to direct flights to Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Istanbul, Dubai, Lagos and Nairobi.
During the conference, an advertisement film about eco-tourism and the city of Sharm el-Sheikh was shown on EgyptAir flights to promote the great event on the land of Egypt.
On the other hand, the EgyptAir pavilion at the conference witnessed a turnout from participants of different nationalities to amend reservations, inquire about EgyptAir services and view its programs offered to conference guests.
The air traffic control officers also succeeded in organising air traffic in light of the high intensity of operation during the days of the conference.
The ground service men were also extraordinary heroes throughout the duration of the events.
For his part, Minister Helmy praised the ministry’s employees, its bodies and subsidiaries, who provided all facilities to Egypt’s guests, reflecting the capacity and capabilities of the Egyptian state.
The minister added that the readiness of the Egyptian airports, especially the Cairo and Sharm el-Sheikh international airports, to receive and bid farewell to the conference delegations confirmed Egypt’s position and leadership regionally and internationally.
The minister referred to the great efforts made by the work teams formed from various disciplines, praising the good organisation and outstanding performance of the pavilion’s staff and their effective role in leaving a positive impression on the national company among the participating delegations.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Civil Aviation participated in the COP27 climate summit sessions with a number of activities.
This is within the framework of the ministry’s strategy to achieve sustainable development in the aviation sector in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and achieve the goals of the National Climate Change Strategy 2050 in order to adapt to climate change and reduce its negative effects in accordance with the United Nations Framework Convention and intensify efforts that enhance scientific research, environmental awareness and orientation towards clean energy and renewable energy.
During these events, the Ministry of Civil Aviation reviewed its vision to achieve sustainable development and ways to reduce the negative effects of climate change on the aviation industry, reduce carbon emissions and reduce environmental pollution.
The General Meteorological Authority, EgyptAir Holding Company and the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation, represented by the Egyptian Company for Airports, participated in these events.
In the events, EgyptAir presented two presentations, one entitled “EgyptAir and the Sustainable Development Goals,” and the other on “Innovative solutions to achieve zero emissions by 2050.”
The Meteorological Authority participated in several activities, including an event entitled “Potential negative effects on the civil aviation sector resulting from climate change”, in addition to its participation in joint working sessions through coordination and cooperation between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and a number of ministries concerned.
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