Latest news with #El-Hefny
Daily News Egypt
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, Sierra Leone discuss cooperation in civil aviation
Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh El-Hefny met with Alhaji Fanday Turay, Minister of Transport and Aviation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, in line with directives from Egypt's political leadership to strengthen bilateral relations with African nations. The meeting aimed to explore opportunities for cooperation in training, maintenance, air navigation, aviation services, and the exchange of expertise. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation across key areas, particularly the development of airport infrastructure and the enhancement of training programmes for technical and administrative staff. The two sides also considered updating and broadening the scope of the existing Memorandum of Understanding to reflect regional and international developments in the civil aviation sector, supporting shared development objectives. At the outset of the meeting, El-Hefny emphasised Egypt's commitment to deepening ties with African countries across multiple fields, with civil aviation identified as a crucial pillar for advancing continental integration and economic growth. He affirmed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation stands ready to provide technical and training support to Sierra Leone, drawing on the expertise of the Egyptian Aviation Academy and the EgyptAir Training Academy. El-Hefny also highlighted that Egyptian-African cooperation in air transport extends beyond technical collaboration to include efforts that advance comprehensive development, through enhancing air connectivity, knowledge transfer, and capacity building. This approach, he noted, aligns with Egypt's vision of fostering sustainable development across Africa through greater regional integration. For his part, Alhaji Fanday Turay expressed Sierra Leone's desire to establish a strategic partnership with Egypt, particularly to benefit from Egyptian expertise in human resource development, airport infrastructure, and improving aviation security and safety standards. He described the visit as an important step towards opening broader avenues of cooperation with Egypt, which he praised as a successful model for civil aviation advancement on the continent. 'We highly value Egypt's leading role in Africa and look forward to drawing on its experience to build a modern and efficient aviation system in Sierra Leone,' Turay said. He also expressed hope for tangible progress through joint training programmes, technical exchange visits, and exploring direct air connectivity between Cairo and Freetown — a move that would help boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two countries. At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed the importance of ongoing coordination and deepening cooperation in training and technical qualification. Such efforts aim to prepare specialised personnel to meet the growing needs of Sierra Leone's aviation sector, while also enhancing Egyptian-African collaboration in this strategically vital field.
Daily News Egypt
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Aviation Minister, German ambassador talk airport partnerships
Egypt's Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny and German Ambassador to Cairo, Jürgen Scholz, have discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, with a focus on airport development, training, and the exchange of technical expertise, the ministry said in a statement. During the meeting at the ministry's headquarters, El-Hefny welcomed the ambassador and affirmed the deep historical ties between the two countries. He said the ministry was working according to a comprehensive national strategy to develop the sector and improve services in line with global best practices. El-Hefny stated that the ministry 'gives great importance to expanding partnerships with the private sector and benefiting from leading international expertise' in areas like training and modernising airport systems. He added that Egypt encourages foreign investment and offers promising opportunities in its civil aviation sector. For his part, the German ambassador described Egypt as a strategic partner for Germany in the Middle East and said his country looks forward to strengthening cooperation, especially in air transport, which is witnessing notable development in terms of infrastructure and operational services. Scholz added that many major German companies are showing great interest in expanding in the Egyptian market and contributing to airport development projects, given their advanced technology and the promising investment environment that Egypt offers. At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue coordination, activate joint cooperation frameworks, and exchange technical expertise to support sustainable development in Egypt's civil aviation sector and solidify Egypt's position as a leading regional hub for air transport.
Egypt Today
31-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt talks cooperation in aviation safety programs at AFI Aviation Week
Air Crafts - cc CAIRO - 31 May 2025: On the sidelines of Africa Aviation Week 2025 (AFI Aviation Week) in Zimbabwe, Egypt's Minister of Civil Aviation, Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, held a series of high-level bilateral meetings aimed at deepening international cooperation in civil aviation. A key engagement featured an expanded session with Boeing officials, led by Kayode "Kay" Ariwudola, Boeing's Director of Global Safety and Regulatory Affairs for the Middle East and Africa. The meeting was also attended by Captain Amr El-Sharkawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority. Discussions focused on advancing aviation safety and fostering sustainable aviation practices. Key topics included the integration of carbon-reduction technologies and the increased use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Both sides underscored the importance of aligning with international safety standards while enhancing regulatory and technical capacities to ensure optimal safety in the sector. The talks aligned with Egypt's broader national strategy, which emphasizes sustainable development and the implementation of environmental standards across all sectors, including air transport. Dr. El-Hefny reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to transforming Egypt's aviation industry through environmentally conscious practices, including the adoption of clean fuels and the modernization of aviation infrastructure in line with global sustainability benchmarks. Highlighting Egypt's potential as a regional leader in green aviation technologies, Dr. El-Hefny emphasized the Ministry's efforts to attract high-quality investments by fostering a supportive business climate. He noted that Egypt is eager to leverage international expertise in environmental innovation to further its sustainable development goals. Participating nations at the event echoed these priorities, reinforcing their commitment to environmental sustainability in aviation. Renewed support was voiced for the ICAO Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels, as well as the ACT-SAF (Assistance, Capacity Building, and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels) program, which promotes the adoption of low-carbon aviation technologies and clean energy sources. Boeing's Kayode Ariwudola praised Egypt's environmental strides in aviation, particularly its move toward sustainable operational models. He reaffirmed Boeing's dedication to partnering with Egypt to deliver innovative solutions that enhance fuel efficiency and reduce aviation's carbon footprint.
Daily News Egypt
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
SITA opens first regional hub in Middle East with new command center in Cairo
Egypt's Minister of Civil Aviation, Sameh El-Hefny, inaugurated SITA's new command center in Cairo—its first regional hub in the Middle East and Africa—marking a key milestone in Egypt's strategy to become a digital leader in the global aviation industry. The launch of the center aligns with the Ministry of Civil Aviation's broader vision to accelerate digital transformation and position Egypt as a regional hub for both aviation and information technology. SITA, the global IT provider for the air transport industry, began operations at the Cairo center in September 2024. Speaking at the inauguration, Minister El-Hefny said the new facility reflects SITA's confidence in Egypt's investment climate and underscores the country's growing appeal as a destination for high-tech, high-impact investments. He noted that the center will not only enhance the region's aviation digital infrastructure but will also generate high-quality job opportunities and foster partnerships with universities to develop a new generation of aviation IT professionals. He also highlighted the Ministry's commitment to fostering effective public-private partnerships that support Egypt's ambition to lead in innovation, technology, and digital services across the region. El-Hefny praised the ongoing collaboration between SITA and EgyptAir, which has already led to the implementation of advanced digital solutions aimed at enhancing operational performance and passenger experience. Among these are SITA Connect Go, a next-generation infrastructure that delivers responsive and scalable connectivity, and the Community DCS system, which streamlines departure processes and improves airline efficiency. The minister emphasized that investing in technology is 'the investment of the era,' adding that Egypt has the infrastructure, talent, and vision to become a global gateway for innovation in aviation. He affirmed the Egyptian government's commitment to creating a secure, supportive investment environment to attract top international firms, pointing to SITA's expansion as a model of successful global partnership. Selim Bouri, SITA's President for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, described the new command center as a 'significant milestone' in the company's historic relationship with Egypt, which began in 1954. He explained that Egypt's strategic location, supportive investment climate, and abundance of skilled talent were key factors behind the decision to establish the regional hub in Cairo. 'Digital transformation is the driving force behind the future of air transport,' said Bouri. 'With this center, we reaffirm our commitment to deepening our collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and EgyptAir. Together, we aim to develop the region's digital infrastructure and enhance the travel experience for millions of passengers worldwide.' Bouri added that the launch represents both the continuation of a decades-long partnership and a new starting point for expanded cooperation. He emphasized SITA's dedication to supporting Egypt's development goals by investing in local talent, empowering youth, and contributing to the creation of a world-class digital ecosystem. Founded in 1949, SITA is a global leader in air transport technology. The company provides integrated digital solutions for airports, airlines, and governments, with a focus on improving efficiency, safety, and sustainability across the aviation sector. SITA supports operations at over 1,000 airports worldwide, serves more than 2,500 customers, and offers border management solutions to over 70 governments. Its expansive network spans more than 200 countries and regions, playing a critical role in the digital transformation of global air travel.
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Cairo Airport hits record high with 102,108 passengers in one day
Cairo International Airport has set a new record for daily passenger traffic, welcoming 102,108 travelers in a single day—its highest since the airport's opening on 18 May 1963. The day also saw 682 flight movements, comprising 343 departures and 339 arrivals. The milestone reflects the airport's growing capacity to meet rising travel demand and underscores its operational efficiency as Egypt's primary gateway and a strategic regional hub. Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh El-Hefny hailed the achievement as a testament to the ministry's strategic plan, which focuses on modernizing airport infrastructure, expanding capacity, and enhancing service quality across Egypt's aviation sector. He noted that the plan aims to position Cairo International Airport as a leading air transport hub in both the Middle East and Africa. El-Hefny added that Egypt is entering a new phase of airport development, with greater involvement from the private sector, to keep pace with global aviation trends and meet projected increases in passenger traffic. The goal, he said, is to double Cairo Airport's annual capacity to 60 million passengers in line with Egypt Vision 2030. Ayman Fawzy Arab, Chairperson of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation (EHAAN), praised the airport's continuous improvement in handling growing air traffic. He emphasized the commitment to adopting advanced technologies and enhancing logistical services to provide a world-class travel experience for all passengers. Meanwhile, Cairo Airport Company Chairperson Magdy Ishaq confirmed that all airport facilities were operating at peak readiness to accommodate the surge in traffic and incoming tourism. Emergency plans, logistical services, and staffing protocols were fully activated across all terminals to ensure smooth operations and top-tier service delivery.
