Cairo: Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) announced the launch of the second phase of its initiative to streamline air routes in Egyptian airspace. This follows the successful completion of the first phase, as disclosed in a press conference attended by prominent officials including Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Hajri, In Charge of Managing QCAA, HE Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, and HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Egypt Tariq Ali Faraj Al-Ansari.
According to Qatar News Agency, the first phase involved 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 focus on a partial redesign of Egyptian airspace, aiming to reduce the duration of overflight routes. This involves modifications to air routes within the Cairo Flight Information Region, based on a proposal crafted by a team from QCAA and Qatar's national carrier.
Additionally, the second phase will continue the training of Egyptian air traffic controllers on the Free Route Airspace (FRA) system, which is geared towards reducing flight duration and increasing airspace capacity. Al-Hajri emphasized that this initiative showcases Qatar's dedication to civil aviation advancement and regional cooperation. He highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of the initiative, which aims to enhance air traffic efficiency, reduce congestion, and shorten flight times.
Al-Hajri praised the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority for their cooperation, noting the initiative's potential to improve travel efficiency and passenger satisfaction by cutting flight durations and reducing delays. He expressed Qatar's intention to pursue similar initiatives with regional and international partners to ensure safe and efficient air navigation globally.
HE Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Dr. Sameh El-Hefny commended the strong ties between Egypt and Qatar in civil aviation, citing the bilateral air transport agreement and supporting memoranda of understanding. He noted the project's strategic importance for Egypt's aviation infrastructure and sustainable environmental efforts.
Dr. El-Hefny also expressed Egypt's eagerness for further collaboration with Qatar in aviation safety and expertise exchange, hoping for deeper partnerships in the sector. HE Ambassador Tariq Ali Faraj Al-Ansari lauded Egypt's continuous infrastructure development and emphasized Qatar's readiness for enhanced technical and regulatory cooperation.
HE Al-Ansari highlighted the broader impact of the initiative beyond operational efficiency, noting its role in strengthening ties between the two nations and boosting air, commercial, and tourism traffic. The project is seen as a model for similar initiatives in Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, aiming to deliver economic savings for airlines and enhance Qatar's role in air transport and environmental sustainability.