Following the successful conclusion of membership talks with EgyptAir, the Chief Executive Board of Star Alliance has voted to accept as a future member, the national airline of Egypt, which in the last five years has undergone a significant transformation process and is now one of the foremost carriers in Africa and the Middle East.
“Egypt is one of the most important aviation markets in Africa, with a large potential for both business and leisure travel. We are proud that EgyptAir, a world class airline, has chosen to join Star Alliance, thereby recognising the importance of alliances in aviation today,” commented Jaan Albrecht, CEO Star Alliance. “EgyptAir provides an ideal network fit for Star Alliance and will permit many more passengers to experience the alliance’s customer benefits especially in markets in which Star Alliance was up to now under represented,” Albrecht continued.
“Egypt, the home market of EgyptAir, has a strategic location which offers a good link between Africa, the Middle East and Europe to the rest of the world. The company equally serves the needs of the leisure and the ever-growing business travel market, thereby adding prosperity in tourism and different sectors of the Egyptian economy,” said Engineer Atef Abdel Hamid, Chairman and CEO, EgyptAir Holding Company.
“By joining Star Alliance, EgyptAir will offer its customers a wide variety of benefits such as a diversity of destinations, frequency of existing destinations, a wide choice of convenient fares across the globe, frequent flyer advantages on all Star Alliance member carriers and the great facilities the passengers will enjoy at major airports through the Move Under one Roof concept,” added Eng. Abdel Hamid.
In order to implement the Star Alliance “Move under one Roof” concept at Cairo Airport, EgyptAir and the Star Alliance member carriers flying to Cairo will move to the new Terminal 3 once it opens in 2008. Talks to this effect are already underway with the airport authorities in order to ensure the creation of another hub with an optimal customer experience.
“EgyptAir’s membership in Star Alliance along with the strategic location of Cairo Airport will create a hub for the alliance members and a gateway for the Middle East and North Africa”, commented Engineer Atef.
With the integration process now underway, EgyptAir is set to become a full Star Alliance member carrier within the next 18 months. EgyptAir will add nine additional unique airports into the Star Alliance network, bringing the overall total to more than 17,700* daily flights serving 944* destinations in 161* countries.
- Figures are based on current 17 member carriers and the four carriers set to join soon – Air China, EgyptAir, Shanghai Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
About Star Alliance:
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience. Star Alliance was voted Best Airline Alliance by Business Traveller Magazine in 2003, 2006 and 2007 and by Skytrax in 2003, 2005 and 2007. The members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, THAI, United and US Airways. Regional member carriers Adria Airways (Slovenia), Blue1 (Finland) and Croatia Airlines enhance the global network. Air China, EgyptAir, Shanghai Airlines and Turkish Airlines have all been accepted as future members and are expected to join Star Alliance soon. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 16,000 daily flights to 855 destinations in 155 countries.
About EgyptAir:
EgyptAir is the world-renowned national airline of the Egypt, based in the cosmopolitan city of Cairo.
In more than 75 years, EgyptAir has experienced extraordinary growth, taken the lead to be the first airline in the Middle East and Africa and the seventh in the world to join IATA and become a treasured brand.
Currently, 48 aircraft crisscross the world to 60 destinations in 44 Countries through 1,200 weekly flights, carried more than 6.5 million passengers in 2006/2007, to fulfill the travel needs of both business and leisure travel.
In 2004, EgyptAir demonstrated the scale of its commitment to the highest standards of safety by being the first IOSA certified airline in the Middle East and Africa.
About Terminal 3, Cairo Airport
Located at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East, Europe and the Gulf Area, Cairo International Airport offers excellent possibilities for transit and transfer passengers all over the world. By taking decisive steps for the future expansion of Cairo Airport, Cairo Airport Company has embarked on a long-term development plan to upgrade and modernise its facilities, increase capacity and improve services. It initiated an international tender for management of the Airport and at the end of 2004 awarded the eight year contract to Fraport AG, Frankfurt Airport’s owners and managers.
The Terminal is designed for both international and domestic traffic and has a capacity of 11 million passengers annually. It consists of a five-level main building and two concourses, which provide a total gross floor area of more than 165,000 square meters. A bridge between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 will ensure easy access and short transfer times in between the terminals. Airside, Terminal 3 will provide 54 aircraft stands, 23 of which will be contact gates directly linked to the terminal building. Terminal 3 will be equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology. A fully automated Baggage Handling System with integrated inline screening will ensure safe and smooth operation of the baggage. An integrated Security System fulfills latest international requirements and set new standards within the region. This includes biometric border controls, a ramp management system and all flight related systems. The start of operation of Terminal 3 is schedule for the third quarter 2008.
In addition to the new Terminal 3, Cairo Airport is also constructing a fourth runway, developing the Cargo City, construct a new Air Traffic Control Tower and increasing its parking facilities. Also new service facilities are on the way like, hotel, business and shopping centers.