Cairo International Airport's state-of-the-art new terminal began operations this week with one of the national carrier's most challenging routes. Amirah Ibrahim was there Egypt's main gateway, Cairo International Airport, saw its first flight take off from the new Terminal 3, the $340 million facility which increases the airport's capacity by more 11 million passengers, to 20 million a year. On its first day of operation TB3 hosted departures and arrivals on the Cairo-New York route. At 8am on Monday morning 220 passengers passed through the terminal's gates. Each was presented with a flower as they headed to the check-in counters. EgyptAir operates a single daily flight to New York. Tough US restrictions, applied for the last two years on any airline using American airports, means the flight represents a major logistical challenge. A list of passenger names must be provided to the US Security and Safety Department (TSA) ahead of the flight, allowing them to exclude any passengers even if a visa has already been obtained. To meet the TSA's security requirements EgyptAir's New York flight was first moved from Terminal 1, the base of EgyptAir's operations, to Terminal 2, where exceptional security procedures are available via facilities provided by the Americans. "We thought that since this flight is among the most challenging, why not move it to Terminal 3 and test our systems," said Hassan Rashed, chairman of the Cairo Airport Company (CAC). The Boeing 777 took off at 10:15am. At 12pm the arrival hall was ready to welcome the first flight to land at the new terminal. When the Boeing 777 appeared over the horizon it was greeted by cheers. "For a first day it has been successful. The terminal is amazing, every thing is excellent. Immigration procedures, fluency within the terminal, the duty-free shops. I only had one problem, meeting my travel agent who had bought visas in advance. He was not allowed to meet me in the immigration area. I think this should be managed in the future," said Ashish Sanghrajka, an American who is visiting Egypt for the third time. Airport management explained that travellers are required to procure visas before entering the country or else must buy them at the airport. Terminal 3 was first unveiled to the media in December 2008, when President Hosni Mubarak officially inaugurated the facility. "The new Terminal 3 will is part of a far- reaching strategy, as directed by President Mubarak. The facility will play a leading role in confirming Egypt's position as a world centre for business, finance, sports and culture," said Aviation Minister Ahmed Shafiq. "This first phase of our ambitious airport expansion project is now complete. The terminal not only embraces a stunning design, but a whole range of new facilities." "Terminal 3 will play an important role in supporting Egypt's economic progress, and reaffirm the city's image as an emerging global aviation hub," argued Fathi Fathallah, vice-president of the Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation. Fathallah revealed that a phased transition of operations to Cairo International's new terminal will take place in the next few weeks. "The soft opening will be implemented in four phases, to ensure that systems and processes are working to the highest levels, enabling customers to make their way through the facility as easily and speedily as possible. Next week three more flights will begin using the new terminal, the two daily flights of the German carrier Lufthansa, and SwissAir and Austrian Air's daily flights. A week later Singapore Airlines and Greek Aegean airlines will join them." Fathallah says the rest of Star Alliance's member airlines will follow within a month. "Domestic flights operated by the national carrier will move to the terminal, which we expect to be a tough phase. And last, all international flights operated by EgyptAir will be moved. Everything should be complete within seven weeks," said Fathallah. CAC's chairman seemed less confident about the schedules. "The media should not take this timetable as obligatory. It remains subject to change according to circumstances," said Rashed. The new terminal will eventually be used by the national carrier and the nine airlines operating to Egypt which are members of Star Alliance. "With our growth plans on track a dedicated terminal for Star Alliance was no longer an option but a necessity. We are proud to offer such a facility," says Tawfiq Assi, EgyptAir chairman. The terminal has undergone operational readiness trials simulating typical airport operating scenarios to test the new facility's systems and processes, as well as the preparedness of staff. "These trials provided a realistic assessment of the new facility's readiness and helped us improve customer service quality at the airport. They also provided on-the-job staff training and familiarisation to boost staff confidence and allowed us to correct any shortcomings," said Rashed. Cairo International conducted the first major operational trial, involving over 1,000 volunteers, in January. An additional 1,500 volunteers participated in a similar trial in February. Since then between 15 and 20 trials have been conducted on a daily basis to test airport systems, passenger flow, way-finding signage, and police, immigration, customs and baggage handling procedures.
