THE year 2010 was filled with accomplishments for Egypt's Ministry of Civil Aviation and its affiliated companies and subsidiaries, whether locally or internationally. Minister Ahmed Shafiq succeeded in fully achieving his goals, implementing all his plans for 2010. Locally, the Minister started the year by ordering a 30 per cent pay raise to all employees of the civil aviation sector. Another major accomplishment was President Hosni Mubarak's visit to recent projects carried out by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, including the Complex of Engine Maintenance of EgyptAir Maintenance and Engineering; the new Civil Aviation Authority building, which incorporates a state-of-the-art crisis centre; the inauguration of Sohag International Airport, built in Upper Egypt as part of development plans; the opening of Borg el-Arab International Airport, in addition to the new third terminal and air control tower at Cairo International Airport, considered a landmark of Egyptian Civil Aviation. On November 7, was the fourth edition of AVEX International Airshow's opening in Sharm el-Sheikh. The four-day biannual event was organised by the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation. President Mubarak visited AVEX, which hosted local and international aviation professionals from airports, airlines, aircraft manufacturers and ground handlers, to name only a few. Among the exhibitors were EgyptAir and the Egyptian Airports Company. AVEX 2010 was even larger than in previous years, with 74 exhibitors representing a 40 per cent increase compared to AVEX 2008. AVEX hosted the Aviation Unity Summit, one of the major aviation gatherings in Africa and the Middle East, in addition to the arrival of the giant Airbus 380. It also witnessed the signing of deals worth several million dollars. All civil aviation employees received LE1,000 in appreciation of their efforts from the Development and Support Fund of the Civil Aviation. President of the International Air Transportation Association, Giovanni Bisignani, announced that Minister Ahmed Shafiq was among 25 celebrity figures worldwide for his civil aviation policies, and this honour made 2010 a truly remarkable year. EHCAAN ANOTHER distinctive accomplishment in 2010 was that of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation and its four affiliated companies under the leadership of Ibrahim Manna, chairman and CEO. New airports were built and old ones modernised, in addition to the signing of the Aero City project, which included several travel and entertainment projects and the construction of the new Cairo Airport Hotel. Lion's share EGYPTAIR employees also benefited from decisions taken in 2010. In addition to the Minister's decision to raise their net salaries by 30 per cent, chairman Hussein Massoud introduced other changes like creating more incentives and promoting many employees. EgyptAir ADOPTING Minister Ahmed Shafiq's plans and following his guidance, the national carrier EgyptAir was able to modernise its fleet with nine new aircraft …quot; four 777-300ER, four 777-300 and an sAirbus 330-300 …quot; resulting in new routes and thus expanding its network to Juba in south Sudan, Dar as-Salam and Copenhagen, as well as operating direct flights to Kuala Lumpur and Guangzhou. Smart Company SMART Company had its share in 2010's success through its partnership with the Ministry of Electricity and Energy and Portugalheli for cleaning electricity pylons with the use of helicopters. The agreement was signed by Wael Maadawi, the chairman of Smart Aviation Company and Fathallah Shalabi, chairman of the Egyptian Company for Transferring Electricity, in the presence of Minister of Civil Aviation Ahmed Shafiq, Minister of Electricity and Energy Hassan Younis, and Minister of State for International Co-operation Fayza Abul Naga. Another remarkable agreement was signed by IATA and the Egyptian and Iranian Civil Aviation Authorities, with an additional ‘Memorandum of Understanding' that facilitates 14 regular weekly flights between Egypt and Iran. International accolades EGYPTAIR subsidiaries were able to gain international certificates, especially EgyptAir Maintenance and Engineering as well as EgyptAir Ground Services. Meanwhile, Hussein Massoud, the chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company, was elected to the board of governors of AACO Arab Air Carrier Organisation. He was also chosen as a member of the Naming Committee among ten candidates worldwide, and he was made president of AFRAA when he completed his term as president of AACO.
