21-07-2025
Phase II of Qatari initiative to shorten air routes in Egyptian airspace launched
QNA
Cairo
Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) announced on Monday the launch of the second phase of the Qatari initiative to shorten air routes in Egyptian airspace, following the successful completion of the first phase.
The announcement was made during a press conference addressed by Mohamed bin Faleh Al Hajri, In Charge of Managing QCAA, Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, and Ambassador of Qatar to Egypt HE Tariq Ali Faraj Al Ansari, in Cairo, Egypt.
The first phase of the initiative included training 35 Egyptian air traffic controllers by the Air Navigation Department of the Authority on the parallel take-off and landing system.
The second phase will involve a partial redesign of Egyptian airspace and modifications to certain air routes within the Cairo Flight Information Region, with the goal of reducing the duration of overflight routes. This phase is based on a proposal prepared by a team from QCAA and Qatar's national carrier.
The second phase will also continue the training of Egyptian air traffic controllers on the Free Route Airspace (FRA) system, which helps reduce flight duration and increase airspace capacity.
In his address at the conference, Al Hajri stated that this initiative is one of several landmark efforts that reflect Qatar's strong and ongoing commitment to advancing the civil aviation sector and fostering regional and international cooperation in this vital field.
He added that the initiative to shorten air routes over Egyptian airspace is the result of fruitful and constructive collaboration between the QCAA and the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority with the aim to enhance air traffic efficiency, reduce congestion, and shorten flight times, delivering clear economic and environmental benefits.
This initiative also embodies Qatar's vision of being an active partner in the global development of air navigation systems and reaffirms the country's dedication to achieving sustainability in the aviation industry and reducing carbon emissions, in line with the priorities and objectives of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Al Hajri also highlighted the initiative's positive impact on both travellers and airlines by cutting flight durations, improving travel efficiency, reducing delays and wait times, and ultimately enhancing the overall quality of service and passenger satisfaction.
He expressed appreciation to the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority for their constructive cooperation, swift responsiveness, and shared commitment to the success of this pioneering initiative - a reflection of the strong ties between the two nations and a clear demonstration of a shared determination to achieve greater integration in the civil aviation sector.
He emphasised that QCAA will continue pursuing similar initiatives with a number of regional and international partners, with the goal of ensuring safe and efficient air navigation across key global transit zones and reinforcing Qatar's position as a leading international hub for civil aviation.
Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Dr. Sameh El-Hefny affirmed the strength of relations and cooperation between Egypt and Qatar in the field of civil aviation, noting that they represent a model of regional integration based on mutual respect and mutual understanding.
He explained that this cooperation between the two countries is based on the bilateral air transport agreement, supported by several memoranda of understanding related to increasing passenger and air cargo flights and facilitating access to Egyptian airports, in line with the growth of air traffic.
Ambassador of Qatar to Egypt and Permanent Representative of Qatar to the League of Arab States HE Tariq Ali Faraj Al-Ansari expressed Qatar's keenness on strengthening cooperation with Egypt, particularly in the civil aviation sector, praising the continuous development of Egypt's infrastructure.
He also affirmed Qatar's readiness to enhance joint coordination in technical and regulatory fields, noting that Egypt represents the heart of the Arab world and enjoys a pivotal position at the regional and international levels.
