By the Numbers: Get to Know the Rules of Charter Flight Incentive Programs to Egyptian Tourist Airports

The beneficiaries are the airports of Luxor, Aswan, Taba, Marsa Alam, Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada

The value depends on flight hours and the aircraft's occupancy rate

Minister of Tourism Hisham Zaazou approved the incentive program for charter flights to the airports of Egyptian tourist destinations for the period from November 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016, according to a circular from the Chamber of Tourism Companies at the Egyptian Tourism Federation, published by Travel Yalla. It covers the airports of Luxor, Aswan, Taba, Marsa Alam, Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, as well as Double Touch. The program is based on subsidizing occupied seats on aircraft above specific occupancy rates set for each airport, with the subsidy per seat determined by flight duration, which benefits tourism and is paid to foreign tour operators.

First: Luxor, Aswan and Taba Airports

The incentive program applies to these airports by paying $40 (EGP 320) for flights lasting less than 4 hours and $50 (EGP 400) for flights of 4 hours or more, for each passenger in occupied seats, starting from a minimum load factor of 40% and with no maximum, so that the incentive is paid for occupied seats above the set rate up to the load actually achieved on the flight.

Second: Marsa Alam Airport

$30 (EGP 240) is paid for flights of less than 4 hours and $40 (EGP 320) for flights of 4 hours or more, per passenger, starting once the aircraft's occupancy exceeds a minimum of 50% and up to an occupancy rate of 90%.

Third: Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada Airports

$30 (EGP 240) is paid for flights of less than 4 hours and $40 (EGP 320) for flights of 4 hours or more, per passenger, starting once the aircraft's occupancy exceeds a minimum of 60% and up to an occupancy rate of 80%.

However, there are rules regarding Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada airports: the incentive is calculated according to the number of flights actually operated in excess of the number of flights in the same month last year, and each month is calculated separately, because the two cities have heavy charter traffic from European countries.

Fourth: Double Touch Flights

These relate to flight programs that include landing at two airports. To benefit, the ministry stipulated that Luxor Airport must be one of them, and the incentive is calculated on the aircraft's total load at the time it enters Egyptian airspace, with the incentive applied according to the rules linked to each airport.