Egypt's Minister of Civil Aviation Dr. Sameh El Hefny met Matrouh Governor Major General Dr. Mohamed El Zamlout at the start of his visit to Marsa Matrouh, in the presence of Captain Wael El Nashar, Chairman of the Egyptian Airports Company, a number of officials and relevant entities, and representatives of travel companies and hotel owners, to discuss ways to boost air and tourist traffic and mechanisms for making use of the governorate's tourism assets amid growing demand for attractions on the North Coast.
The meeting addressed the importance of operating domestic flights to Marsa Matrouh Airport year-round rather than only in summer, as well as strengthening cooperation between airlines, hotels and the tourism sector and removing obstacles to serious proposals aimed at increasing traffic, helping to boost tourism and make use of the governorate's diverse assets.
The importance of integration between different modes of transport in serving tourist destinations was also stressed, along with promoting the diverse tourism assets and areas of Matrouh and Siwa, opening wider prospects for increasing tourist demand and supporting development and investment opportunities in the governorate.
Dr. Sameh El Hefny said boosting air traffic to Marsa Matrouh International Airport supports tourism development efforts, and that the integration of aviation and tourism opens new horizons for growth and provides wider opportunities to make use of the governorate's promising assets.
El Hefny noted that the marked increase in charter flights from a number of European markets to Marsa Matrouh Airport reflects growing demand for Egyptian destinations, stressing the importance of building on this growth by continuing to develop services and raise operational efficiency to meet the needs of travelers and airlines and enhance the destination's competitiveness.
After the meeting, Dr. Sameh El Hefny toured Marsa Matrouh International Airport, accompanied by Matrouh Governor Major General Dr. Mohamed El Zamlout and Captain Wael El Nashar, Chairman of the Egyptian Airports Company, to check on the regularity of operations and the level of services provided to travelers, and to follow up on the airport's readiness to handle current and expected traffic during the summer season.
The tour included the departure and arrival halls, check-in and passport areas, baggage belts, duty-free shops and aircraft aprons, to follow up on departure and arrival procedures, review the level of services provided to travelers, the smoothness of operations and the speed of procedures, and full compliance with safety, security and service quality standards.
El Hefny also followed up on work to upgrade a number of the airport's facilities, directing that development work continue and that operating elements and services be improved in line with current and expected traffic, supporting the airport's readiness to receive more flights and serve tourist traffic to the governorate.
The minister stressed the importance of maintaining operational readiness and raising the efficiency of work teams, with continued coordination between the relevant entities, airlines and the tourism sector, ensuring efficient performance and quality services that keep pace with growing traffic.
In a related context, Matrouh Governor Major General Dr. Mohamed El Zamlout stressed the importance of continued cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and relevant entities to grow air and tourist traffic and make use of the diverse assets of Matrouh and Siwa, supporting development efforts and strengthening the governorate's position on Egypt's tourism map.
