Latest news with #SamehElHefny
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
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. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Daily News Egypt
CairoScene
25-02-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Veteran Aviator Ahmed Adel Reappointed as EgyptAir Holding Chairman
Adel first joined EgyptAir as a pilot in 1988, later rising through the ranks at the Civil Aviation Authority. Feb 25, 2025 Minister of Civil Aviation Dr. Sameh El Hefny has appointed Pilot Ahmed Adel as Chairman of the Board and Executive Managing Director of EgyptAir Holding Company, marking his return to the airline's leadership. Adel succeeds Engineer Yehia Zakaria, who was recognised for his contributions during his tenure. With over 30 years in aviation, Adel first joined EgyptAir as a pilot in 1988, later rising through the ranks to become a flight instructor, examiner, and inspector for the Civil Aviation Authority. He has held several key leadership roles within the company, including Vice Chairman of EgyptAir Holding, Head of Air Operations, and Chairman from 2018 to 2020. During his previous tenure as Chairman, Adel was elected to the IATA Board of Governors in 2018 and later became the first Egyptian member of the IATA Presidential Board, a prestigious recognition in global aviation. His return to EgyptAir comes at a critical time for the airline, with expectations that his strategic leadership and industry expertise will drive growth, modernisation and international expansion.
Egypt Today
15-02-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Aviation min. discusses industry challenges at 'WGS' high-level panel discussion in Dubai
Carbon mission - file CAIRO - 15 February 2025: Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh El Hefny said the civil aviation industry is facing major challenges, including climate change, which calls for cutting carbon emissions, enhancing infrastructure, and raising the skills of human cadres in this vital industry to keep pace with the rapid growth in global air traffic. The minister made the remarks while participating in a high-level panel discussion on how to address civil aviation challenges and enhance the industry's sustainability. The session was held on the margins of the 12th edition of the World Governments Summit (WGS), which took place in Dubai on February 11-13 under the theme: "Shaping Future Governments." Asserting the importance of boosting public-private partnerships to achieve the sustainable development goals in the aviation sector, Hefny said the ministry is currently working on developing comprehensive strategies to ensure continued growth and sustainability. He said his ministry's participation in the global event demonstrates its interest in broadening prospects of international cooperation and sharing relevant experiences. A great host of global civil aviation leaders participated in the discussion, including President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council Salvatore Sciachitano, ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, ministers of transport and civil aviation from various countries, heads of civil aviation authorities, and representatives of relevant international organizations. The summit explored major global transformations and their associated opportunities and challenges across various sectors. Through comprehensive dialogues, it supported the development of joint strategies and visions to enhance government work and strengthen international cooperation, ultimately aiming to accelerate development and prosperity worldwide.
Al-Ahram Weekly
28-01-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Air Cairo to expand fleet to 40 aircraft within 3 months: Aviation minister - Economy
Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh ElHefny announced Sunday that Air Cairo, an Egyptian low-fare carrier, will expand its fleet to 40 aircraft within three months. The minister made his remarks during the Sunday 95th-anniversary celebration of Egyptian aviation. ElHefny said reaching 40 aircraft is a key part of ِAir Cairo's strategy to boost tourism from Arab and European countries and increase air traffic to Egypt. He added that the company would receive three aircraft in February and two others in March and April. The minister also highlighted Air Cairo's success story, revealing that despite the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical instability, which affected international tourism, the airline has doubled its fleet in recent years. EgyptAir's fleet modernization Similarly, EgyptAir is upgrading its fleet by leasing 18 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft and purchasing 10 Airbus A350-900 wide-body planes. The airline's accumulated losses decreased to EGP 16 billion by the end of FY2023/2024, significantly improving from EGP 30 billion in previous years. Despite global challenges, including delays in aircraft engine production, EgyptAir continues to focus on improving operational reliability. In October 2024, EgyptAir and Air Cairo signed a code-sharing agreement, expanding their networks and maximizing benefits for passengers. The move is part of a broader strategy to integrate the two carriers and offer travellers a wider range of destinations. Airport privatization According to Asharq Bloomberg, Egypt offered to privatize the management of 11 airports, excluding Cairo International Airport. This decision followed Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly's December 2024 announcement, which outlined plans to privatize airport management and involve public-private partnerships (PPPs) through a contract with the International Finance Corporation. This aligns with a broader strategy to attract private sector investment in the country's aviation industry. According to the government's plan for 2024/2025-2026/2027, Egypt aims to increase the capacity of its airports to 72.2 million passengers annually and expand EgyptAir's fleet to 97 aircraft, including six cargo planes. The goal is to receive 30 million tourists annually and 100 million passengers by 2030. The ongoing efforts are expected to strengthen Egypt's position as a regional and global logistics hub for civil aviation and support the country's tourism and investment growth. ElHefny also outlined plans to expand EgyptAir's fleet by 2029 significantly. However, he noted that this expansion could be delayed due to supply chain issues. Egypt was supposed to receive 12 aircraft, but it will only receive one in September. In addition, he emphasized that Egypt's civil aviation sector is undergoing a comprehensive modernization and digital transformation aimed at improving service quality, enhancing airport infrastructure, and increasing capacity. As part of Egypt's Vision 2030, the ministry focuses on improving performance efficiency and attracting investments while upholding the sector's highest safety and security standards. Modernizing air travel ElHefny said Egypt has an ambitious vision for developing and modernizing its airports to meet the growing travel demand and align with its expanding tourism and investment sectors. He asserted that the ministry remains committed to improving air navigation systems, redesigning Egypt's airspace, and planning flight routes to shorten travel times, boost air traffic capacity, and enhance the country's air services efficiency and flexibility. These efforts aim to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining the highest safety and security standards per international civil aviation regulations through infrastructure enhancements, technical upgrades, and airspace reorganization. This includes a strategic partnership with Orange Egypt to offer free Wi-Fi at Cairo International Airport and the introduction of interactive touchscreen displays and virtual assistant kiosks to enhance the passenger experience. The Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation aims to increase passenger traffic at Egyptian airports by raising capacity to 100 million passengers annually by 2030, compared to 66.2 million passengers in FY2023/2024. It also focuses on strengthening Cairo International Airport's position as a key hub for long-haul travel in Africa. Moreover, the holding company seeks to transform Egyptian airports into a sustainable global aviation centre that blends rich heritage with innovative services, making it the country's primary gateway to Africa. Last week, ElHefny also reviewed efforts to develop Egypt's airspace, including upgrading the radar network and outlining expansion plans to increase Cairo International Airport's capacity from 28 to 40 million passengers annually. Short link:
