Following the success of phase one, Qatar’s civil aviation body held a press conference in Cairo to announce the beginning of phase two.
In a move aimed at boosting regional aviation efficiency, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) has launched the second phase of its initiative to shorten flight paths through Egyptian airspace.
The project is expected to reduce fuel consumption, cut emissions, and improve travel times across key regional routes.
The announcement follows a successful initial phase and has drawn praise from both international aviation bodies and Egyptian counterparts alike.
The QCAA’s initiative aims to restructure flight paths crossing Egypt, reducing both distance and flight time.
The announcement was made during a joint press briefing held on Monday in Egypt’s capital, Cairo.
The first phase centred on initial airspace assessments and coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), including the training of 35 Egyptian air traffic controllers by the QCAA’s Air Navigation Department in the use of parallel take-off and landing systems.
This next stage will entail implementing a partial revision of Egyptian airspace revised to introduce shorter trajectories for overflights by Qatar‑registered and partner carriers.
Additionally, the second phase will extend the training of Egyptian air traffic controllers on the Free Route Airspace (FRA) system, designed to shorten flight times and enhance airspace efficiency.
The initiative seeks to streamline air routes over Egyptian airspace, improve operational efficiency, lower fuel usage, and cut down on carbon emissions.
Regional Director of the Middle East Office at the (ICAO) Mohamed Abu Bakr Farea underlined how optimised routes contribute to safer, more efficient, and more environmentally sustainable flight operations.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Farea said that “launching the second phase of the State of Qatar’s initiative offers significant benefits to both countries as well as to countries in the region and companies operating in this field”.
QCAA chief Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Hajri, on the sidelines of the press conference, said that the initiative was among Qatar’s landmark efforts that reflect the Gulf state’s commitment to making advancements in the civil aviation field, noting that the initiative was a result of a fruitful collaboration between the QCAA and Egypt’s civil aviation body.
Al-Hajir also further emphasized that QCAA will “continue pursuing similar initiatives with a number of regional and international partners, with the goal of ensuring safe and efficient air navigation across key global transit zones and reinforcing Qatar’s position as a leading international hub for civil aviation,” according to remarks made to QNA.
