We interviewed Mr. Amr Ali, Country Head of Egyptair in India, to learn more about the airline’s strategic growth and impact on the Indian market. Mr. Ali discussed Egyptair’s evolution since its founding in 1932, emphasising its significant role in connecting India with Africa, Europe, and Asia. He highlights Egyptair’s unique advantages, such as being the only airline with direct flights to Cairo from India, its membership in Star Alliance, and its dedication to passenger safety and customer confidence in a post-pandemic world. Mr. Ali also mentions plans for expansion and partnerships aimed at further enhancing travel experiences between India and Egypt, catering to the rising demand for business, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Egyptair has a long-standing history in the aviation industry. How do you see the airline’s growth and development in India over the years?
Yes, I agree that Egyptair has indeed built a strong legacy in the aviation industry, with a history dating back to 1932. Its role as the flag carrier of Egypt, along with its strategic geographic position connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia, gives it a unique advantage in global travel.
Currently, we are operating in 2 most important cities of India; Delhi & Mumbai. We are flying 5 times in a week from Mumbai and flying 4 times in a week from Delhi.
We are operating the most modern and wider aircraft. Also, we are planning to operate daily flights.
What are the unique strengths and competitive advantages that Egypt Air brings to the Indian aviation sector compared to other international airlines?
Egyptair offers several competitive advantages in the Indian aviation sector:
Direct Flights to Cairo: As the only airline with direct flights from India to Cairo, Egyptair offers a significant benefit for travellers connecting to Egypt and beyond.
Star Alliance Membership: As a member of Star Alliance, Egyptair provides seamless connectivity to over 1,300 destinations worldwide.
Strong European and Regional Connectivity: Egyptair connects major European cities like London, Paris, and Larnaca, along with extensive coverage across Europe, Africa, and parts of North America, offering efficient connections for travellers to the Middle East and Africa.
Cargo and Trade: With growing trade between India, Egypt, and Africa, Egyptair is well-positioned to handle cargo needs, offering reliable logistics services for businesses in both regions.
In a post-pandemic world, what measures has Egypt Air implemented to ensure passenger safety and improve customer confidence?
In a post-pandemic world, Egyptair uses high-quality disinfectants across all its aircraft and facilities, ensuring a clean and safe environment for passengers. Regular cleaning and sanitation procedures are rigorously followed to maintain high hygiene standards.
To minimize contact, Egyptair offers self-check-in at the airport and on its website, allowing passengers to complete their check-in process smoothly and safely, with minimal physical interaction.
Additionally, in accordance with health protocols, any passenger suspected of showing symptoms will be immediately quarantined and handled with the utmost care to prevent the spread of illness. These measures reflect Egyptair’s commitment to passenger safety and well-being, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey in a post-pandemic world.
India is a growing market for tourism and business travel. How does Egypt Air plan to cater to the increasing demand for connectivity between India and Egypt?
Egyptair is fully committed to catering to the growing demand for connectivity between India and Egypt. Currently, we operate the A320 Neo aircraft in the Delhi-Cairo sector, which features the latest in aviation technology, offering passengers a comfortable and efficient travel experience.
In addition to our flight services, we actively promote Egypt as a premier tourism destination. Through our dedicated division, Egyptair Holidays (Karnak), we offer tailor-made tourism packages designed to showcase the best of Egypt’s historical and cultural landmarks. We also work closely with the Egyptian Embassy in India to encourage Indian travellers to explore Egypt, further strengthening bilateral ties.
To make travel even more convenient, we provide Visa processing within 24 hours, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey for our Indian passengers.
These efforts reflect Egyptair’s commitment to enhancing connectivity, tourism, and travel experiences between India and Egypt.
Can you share your upcoming plans, such as new routes, partnerships, or service enhancements that passengers can look forward to?
To cater to the growing demand for connectivity between India and Egypt, Egyptair is leveraging its latest technology with the deployment of the A320 Neo aircraft on the Delhi-Cairo route. This modern aircraft ensures a comfortable and reliable travel experience for passengers, with a Wi-Fi facility onboard, an entertainment screen for all economy class seats in addition to the business class and advanced features for enhanced safety and lower environmental impact.
As India continues to emerge as a major hub for both tourism and business travel, Egyptair is committed to expanding its offerings, providing seamless connectivity and a high-quality travel experience from many more cities in India.
Looking at the broader aviation industry, what trends do you think will shape the future of international air travel, particularly between India and the Middle East?
The future of international air travel between India and the Middle East looks very promising, and Egyptair is well-prepared to meet the growing demand. As these trends evolve, we anticipate a significant increase in the following types of travel:
Increased VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) Traffic.
Growing Business and Corporate Travel.
Wedding Travel (Destination Weddings)
MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions)
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