By Mohamed Attia
The inaugural Egypt International Aviation and Space Exhibition 2024 concluded successfully, drawing widespread praise from industry experts and significant participation from exhibitors. The event, held in New Alamein, positioned itself as a unique global platform for aviation and space in Africa and the Middle East. More than 300 companies and organisations from over 100 countries showcased their latest innovations, including new models of civil aircraft.
Sameh El-Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation, held key meetings during the exhibition with aviation industry leaders. Notably, he met with Kamel Al-Awadi, Vice President of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), to discuss strengthening co-operation between Egypt and IATA. Discussions focused on air safety, security, sustainability, and infrastructure development in Egyptian airports. El-Hefny emphasised the crucial role of IATA in supporting the global aviation industry, especially in safety and security, and praised the ongoing collaboration between IATA and Egypt.
El-Hefny also met with officials from the French tech firm Thales Group, which specialises in digital and cybersecurity solutions, and with senior executives from Airbus, including Chief Operating Officer Pieter Van Wersch and the company’s Africa and Middle East President, Mikail Houari, to discuss joint co-operation. Additionally, he met with Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, to discuss ongoing coordination between Egypt and Saudi Arabia in civil aviation.
Another key meeting took place at Alamein International Airport, where El-Hefny met with Emmanuel Chavez, President of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, and Ali Tounsi, Secretary General of ACI Africa. They discussed strengthening ties between Egypt and African airports, sharing expertise, and exploring the latest aviation technologies.
In his remarks, El-Hefny highlighted Egypt’s commitment to enhancing its role as a regional hub for aviation, with a focus on developing airport infrastructure and improving passenger services. He underscored the importance of sharing knowledge with African partners to boost the aviation sector across the continent.
Chavez praised Egypt’s efforts to modernise its aviation industry and noted the significance of co-operation between African nations in advancing economic growth. He also lauded the success of the exhibition and the choice of New Alamein as its venue, emphasising the event’s strong global turnout and high level of organisation.
El-Hefny also met with Dr. Abdullah Al-Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), to discuss issues related to meteorology, climate change, and weather modification technologies, reinforcing Egypt’s commitment to addressing global environmental challenges.
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