CAIRO - Under the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation's strategy, linking Africa with the rest of the world through the Egyptian hub of Cairo, EgyptAir, the national carrier, started its new service to the Zambian capital, Lusaka, on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is also part of EgyptAir's expansion strategy in Africa, one of the fastest developing markets due to current investments and economic developments. Hussein Massoud, EgyptAir Holding Company Chairman and CEO, said: "EgyptAir is adopting an ambitious plan to expand its African network. The Company is planning to add new destinations and more frequencies to its network as per market requirements, with the aim to increase investments in Africa. EgyptAir also intends to provide more training, maintenance, in-flight and ground services on the continent." A high-level delegation travelled on the maiden flight from Cairo to Lusaka. Capt Alaa Ashour, EgyptAir Airlines Chairman and CEO, headed the delegation, along with Zambian Ambassador to Cairo Herbert Simutowe, accompanied by EgyptAir Commercial Sector employees, and media representatives to celebrate the inaugurationof the new route. Zambian Transport and Communications officials welcomed the passengers, together with the Egyptian Ambassador to Zambia, Salah El- Sadek, the Lusaka Airport Manager and a number of Egyptian Embassy officials. Upon its landing in Lusaka, the plane was sprayed by two fire engines with water, inaugurating the new route. At a press conference in Lusaka Airport, Capt Alaa Ashour announced that this new route would facilitate commerce and investments between the two countries. "We have ambitious plans to expand and develop the network, introduce new routes in Africa and add more frequencies to existing ones," he said. "With this new service to Lusaka, EgyptAir has 18 African destinations with over 100 weekly flights, and our plan is to cover 46 African destinations, in addition to enhancing our code share agreement with other African carriers."
