AFTER long years of having its only transit hotel closed, Cairo International Airport will retain its transit hotel, with a luxurious and expanded new facility being under construction at present. The new transit hotel is located nearby the airport terminal building 3, and TB2, which have the bulk of the traffic. The national carrier EgyptAir, the major operator at the airports, operates its international and domestic network from TB3. Six other European and international airlines share TB3 with EgyptAir as Star Alliance member airlines. TB2, which is currently closed for repair and renovation, is assigned for operating flights of most European airlines. The renovation process is set to be competed by the end of 2014. It expands the terminal capacity into 7.5 million passengers per annum at a cost of LE2.3 billion. The new Meridian airport hotel will occupy 23,500 square meters. "At a cost estimated by LE 500 million, the transit hotel is scheduled to enter service during the first quarter of 2013," explained Aviation Minister Hussein Massoud. "This new facility helps complete the expansion project of Cairo Airport to convert it into a hub," Massoud added. Early this week, Massoud toured the construction site of the hotel, accompanied with his top aids �ê" Airports and Air Navigation chairman Hasan Rashed and his deputy Wael El-Maadawy. Construction works began in 2009 to build a new hotel connected to the airport's terminal building 3. According to Rashed, the hotel consists of 330 rooms, 19 suites, three restaurants, swimming pools, a spa, meeting and conference rooms and parking area. "In spite of the current difficult economic conditions, the government is keen to push upgrading and modernising plans of air transport in Egypt. We are willing to continue our investing plans, to commit to delivery schedule and to pay all financial dues on time," Massoud explained. Massoud indicated that the new "auto mover" will serve all Cairo airport's terminal buildings, and will be ready to serve the passengers within few months. The LE560 million "auto mover" has a capacity of 2000 passenger per hour.
