EUROCONTROL: 5% of traffic arriving in Europe passes through Egyptian airspace.
The organization praises Egyptian controllers’ ability to manage heavy traffic and respond to crises.
Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El-Hefny visited EUROCONTROL headquarters in Brussels, where he was received by Director General Raúl Medina Caballero. Captain Ihab Mohie El-Din, head of the National Air Navigation Services Company, accompanied him.
The visit began with a presentation of EUROCONTROL’s services and activities to enhance European airspace safety and security, followed by a tour of its advanced new operations center.
The meeting explored stronger Egypt–EU air navigation cooperation. Both sides agreed to enhance coordination in applying safety standards for traffic from the Middle East and flights heading to EU countries through Egyptian airspace. They also discussed future training for Egyptian personnel in the latest global navigation satellite system (GNSS) applications.
El-Hefny emphasized Egypt’s commitment to productive cooperation with international and regional organizations, particularly in airspace management and navigation systems. He highlighted continued coordination, exchange of expertise and training to develop staff capabilities.
He noted existing cooperation, including a bilateral agreement signed by the National Air Navigation Services Company authorizing EUROCONTROL to collect navigation charges under international standards and ICAO rules, alongside cooperation on air traffic flow management.
EUROCONTROL’s director general praised Egyptian air traffic controllers’ professionalism in managing dense traffic and responding to exceptional situations caused by sudden closures of neighboring airspace. He said their effective coordination and immediate response helped safeguard flights, highlighting Egypt’s pivotal contribution to regional and international civil aviation safety, with 5% of Europe-bound traffic passing through its airspace.
At the end of the visit, El-Hefny invited EUROCONTROL representatives to visit air traffic control units at Cairo Air Navigation Center to strengthen future coordination.
