CAIRO - Egypt's Minister of Aviation Ahmed Shafiq has said that his ministry is keen to implement all its projects as scheduled. Addressing aviation reporters and writers, the official added that the state-of-theart operation centre affiliated to the Civil Aviation Authority was due to be opened soon and would allow managing all Egyptian airports except for the Cairo International Airport. “This centre will play a vital and pivotal role in developing the civil aviation sector in Egypt,” said Minister Shafiq. "A new building is planned to be established at the Cairo International Airport for serving tourists and meeting all requirements during the season of Hajj and Umra (major and minor Muslim pilgrimage) and the Egyptian expatriates in the Gulf countries.” The official added that this terminal was scheduled to go into operation by the end of 2010. “The Ministry of Civil Aviation at present is considering changing the names of buildings at Cairo International Airport to ensure they are clear for passengers and their relatives who use these facilities.” As for other Egyptian airports, he said that construction works were due to be completed soon for developing Borg el Arab Airport in the coastal city of Alexandria, 240km north of Cairo. He added that Sohage Airport in Upper Egypt would be opened within the coming two months. "We have already reviewed all items of the new civil aviation law related to the heights of buildings in the vicinity of the Cairo International Airport," he said. As for a visit by a team from Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircrafts (SAFA), the official noted that the team made some notices while inspecting the Egyptian airports and EgyptAir last week. “The ministry is keen to consider all these observations,” said Minister Shafiq. ‘Smart' and the national project During his press conference, the Minister of Civil Aviation also said that Smart Company is moving vigorously ahead with its fleet of five aircraft, three of which are used as air taxi, and the two others as flying ambulances. Shafiq added that the sixth aircraft, which is about to be delivered soon, would join the ambulatory service. On a helicopter project affiliated to the same company, he disclosed that it consists of two parts, the first will be for travel, and the second for handling the high-pressured electric wires.“This will save about 20 per cent of wasted electric energy.” According to him, this project is a national venture, in which many other organisations and ministries have participated. The project will start as soon as the contracts are concluded, he said. As for EgyptAir Holding Company and its funding and leasing Saif aircraft, he said that the company would sign contracts for buying three planes next month. Before his meeting with reporters, Minister Shafiq had a tour to follow up on construction works carried out in the first stage of the Civil Aviation Sporting Club. [email protected]
