At a meeting with executives from the Egyptian aviation authorities in Sharm el Sheikh last week, IACA airlines agreed to a series of measures to improve airport infrastructure in Egypt. The meeting of IACA’s ACAS Committee (Aviation Charges and Standards Committee) took place in Sharm el Sheikh on 12-13 March 2008.  IACA member airlines met with Magd El din Refaat, Chairman of EAC (Egyptian Airports Company), Abdel Hamid Eid, Egyptair Ground Handling and Fathy Omara, Chairman of MISR petroleum, as well as representatives from CAA and NANSC.

The number of tourist visitors to Egypt over the last four years has doubled.  Against this background, the meeting was organised to strengthen the cooperation between the Egyptian aviation authorities and IACA airlines, who account for almost 40% of the flights to Egypt.

It was agreed that the three main factors for the continued success and growth are:

• Improved and increased facilities for aircraft fuelling
• International cooperation and support for security screening at airports, in particular, to accommodate additional female screening personnel
• Professional slot coordination according to international standards.

Speaking after the meeting, Luc Geens, Manager Ground Operations, IACA, said: “IACA representatives have given their full support to working together with the Egyptian ministries and the chairmen of the aviation agencies to solve these defined challenges as quickly as possible in the interest of tourism.”

“The participation and willingness expressed by all parties at IACA’s meeting was overwhelmingly positive and this lays the foundation for future success and continued growth in tourism in Egypt.”

The meeting was hosted by Link Aero Trading Agency and sponsored by Top Aviation and EAS Ground Handling.