By Akram Medhat
Reda Metwally, chairman of EgyptAir Tourism (Karnak) and Duty Free, said there are indications of a surplus of about EGP 100 million up to the end of April 2017, and the target is to reach EGP 120 million in net profit by the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, an increase of 300% over plan.
Metwally added that, regarding the duty-free sector in the coming period, the 2017/2018 fiscal year budget plans for the opening of the company's branches at the New Administrative Capital airport and Sphinx Airport once they begin operating.
He said the duty-free showroom in the arrivals hall of Passenger Terminal 2, covering about 500 square meters, is due to be handed over to be prepared for opening, noting that the display units were manufactured by EgyptAir Supplementary Industries. Work is also being completed on fitting out the second showroom in the departures hall of Terminal 2, covering 450 square meters, which is being prepared to the highest quality standards and is planned to open after the arrivals showroom opens, he said, pointing to many surprises to mark the opening.
Metwally noted that a plan to develop the duty-free warehouses is being implemented, and procedures are under way to buy refrigerated vehicles to transport food between the warehouses and the sales showrooms, in addition to updating the IT system used in the duty-free shops for more than 30 years with the latest global systems in this business, which represents a leap forward and helps eliminate many problems.
Separately, regarding the tourism sector (Karnak), contracts have been signed with a group of hotels in Mecca and Medina as part of preparations for the 1438 AH Hajj season.
