EgyptAir terminates all flights to Japan

This is an example of the mediocre management of both EgyptAir and Egyptian Civil Aviation.
What is the reason for EgyptAir to wait for the situation to be deteriorated to the level of incurring massive economic losses?
What kind of support expected to be offered by either Japanese or Egyptian government? Well, Japan Airlines terminated its flights to Egypt long time ago because of no or limited commercial viability. Will it make any sense for the Japanese government to subsidize EgyptAir flights while it did not support the flights of Japan Airlines in the past? More importantly, it seems that EgyptAir management is not aware of the ongoing free market economy.

It is equally funny for the Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation to admit that the loss of 6 billion Egyptian pounds only warrants for flight reduction. Why is he ignoring the idea of restructuring EgyptAir?
Considering the current economic situation of Egypt, the government will not be able to support the lousy non-economic operation of EgyptAir for a long time as it has some other aspects with higher priority.

Date: 29 March 2013 commenting on http://www.japantimes.co.jp/ 
Date: 30 March 2013 commenting on  http://www.japantoday.com/

Five airlines apply to fly into Zimbabwe

Currently, there are limited economic ties between Egypt and Zimbabwe to justify operating air service between Cairo and Harare.
I understand that EgyptAir’s interest to fly to Zimbabwe is to carry passengers neither originating nor destined to Egypt. EgyptAir plans to utilize its route network, mainly European, to feed its Zimbabwe flights through its hub at Cairo Airport. The problem is the mediocre service level available for transit passengers in Cairo. Unfortunately, both EgyptAir staff and Cairo Airport personnel have no idea about the notion of customer service.
Here is a link to a similar situation for the passengers of EgyptAir’s Juba flights upon transiting Cairo Airport.

Date: 26 February 2013 commenting on http://allafrica.com/

EgyptAir to let hostesses wear Islamic headscarves

It seems that the superficial religious trend in Egypt achieved a victory. What was the point for EgyptAir stewardesses to request to be allowed to wear headscarves?
Are they trying to prove that they are complying with the Islamic beliefs? Yes as an answer simply means that they are wrong. Will they wear makeup? Definitely, yes. Wearing makeup is a harsh contradiction with the hijab.
The airline cabin crew is not a career for everyone, especially those with such Islamist mindset. Stay at home or find another job if you are really serious about Islamic teachings.
The reality of the situation is that female cabin crew of EgyptAir is just making a show. The true reason behind their headscarf is the laziness in taking care of the coarse non-fair hair. So, they are covering it instead.
From the commercial point of view, that step does not reflect positively on EgyptAir which is widely known for its mediocre in-flight service.
The policy of EgyptAir toward its stewardess is obviously a step on the opposite direction of Singapore Airlines which unified the perfume worn by air stewardesses as a part of the brand integrity.

Date: 12 November 2012 commenting on http://www.firstpost.com/

Air Nigeria takes delivery of A330-200 aircraft

Generally speaking, making its non-fully utilized fleet available for lease is an advantage for EgyptAir. That advantage will be maximized in case of wet lease as the airline would be able to utilize its surplus of crewmembers as well.

For Air Nigeria, the case is not necessarily the same. It is true that the airline would satisfy its short-term operational needs. However, leasing specifically from EgyptAir is a separate issue and has two strong points of concern. They are language and quality of service.

Unfortunately, EgyptAir cabin crewmembers speak the Egyptian dialect of Arabic language plus limited, if any, English language. That issue would have its negative impact on the communication quality between the cabin crew and the passengers of Air Nigeria and consequently the service quality. Putting the language aside, did Air Nigeria carefully check the level of customer-centricity of EgyptAir cabin crew before signing the ACMI lease?

To be on the safe side, Air Nigeria is advised to use its own crewmembers side by side with EgyptAir crewmembers for the sake of improving issues of both language and quality. Alternatively, damp lease, rather than wet lease, would resolve the previously-mentioned issues.

Date: 17 May 2012 commenting on http://leadership.ng/nga/

EgyptAir owes Petroleum Ministry LE1 billion, says minister

Is Mr. Massoud confused between his old position in EgyptAir and his new one in the Ministry of Civil Aviation? Why is he talking on behalf of the new EgyptAir chief?
If the dues have been paid regularly since July, what would be the reason behind accumulating one billion pounds?
Having an initiative of applying some austerity measures is definitely a good idea. However, the transparency about the initiative and the ministry’s current losses is more important than the initiative itself.
Unfortunately, the minister incorrectly linked the capability of eliminating the deficit with the level of security and stability. Is he trying to tell us indirectly that the ministry’s share form the Egyptian budget has been decreased? If that would be the case, does he really plan for an austerity program or is he just trying to cope with budget cut?

Date: 15 December 2011 commenting on http://www.almasryalyoum.com/

EgyptAir battles to recapture market after revolution

What could be the meaning of “special offers and other juicy packages”?
When it comes to pricing, EgyptAir does not pay attention to various market forces. Understandably, EgyptAir has almost a monopoly in the Nigerian market as there are no other direct air operators between Egypt and Nigeria. However, its practice in other markets (like Russian Federation) proves my viewpoint.
Anyway, let us see the interaction of Mr. Mohamed Metwally’s statement and about 1,500 seats available on board of Egypt Air flights from Nigeria to Egypt.

Date: 30 May 2011 commenting on http://allafrica.com/

Icelandic ash cloud will not affect EgyptAir flights to Europe

How premature for the CEO of EgyptAir to be so sure about the possible effect of the volcanic eruption on EgyptAir’s flights to Europe. Did he forget the mammoth effect which resulted from the volcanic eruption of April 2010?

Date: 26 May 2011 commenting on http://english.ahram.org.eg/

Egyptair, SAS code-share; a new link between Africa and Europe

Unfortunately, the multi-destination booking feature in EgyptAir website does not work properly. Moreover, EgyptAir ticketing agents have no interest in selling any destination beyond those served by their company. So, how could EgyptAir customers benefit from the newly signed code-share agreement?

Date: 16 December 2010 commenting on  http://logisticsweek.com/

No SAA investment in central African airline

How smart for the South African Airways (SAA) to only support the newly conceived airline venture in central Africa without providing airplanes or investing in the anticipated airline company.

Obviously, the operational burden will be on the shoulders of both EgyptAir and Ethiopian Airlines. Will they be able to manage? Will the under-served new markets of central Africa guarantee the success of the proposed joint company?

Date: 09 October 2010 commenting on http://www.businessday.co.za/

EgyptAir plane strikes lightpoles at Cairo airport

Question marks:
Is Captain Hefni serious about his initial assessment?
The facts of (Two light-poles) and (minor damage to the left wing of the aircraft) do not make sense together.
The claim that the passengers of the doomed Egypt Air flight were mostly Egyptians is highly disputed as the number of Egyptians traveling from Cairo to Hurghada can not reach 190 passengers in any one flight.

Date: 08 April 2010 commenting on http://www.arabiansupplychain.com/

Airline crisis with Saudi Arabia deepens

Protectionism is the keyword here.
“Open sky” policy minimizes governments’ intervention in international aviation.
The Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority is likely acting in favor of Egypt Air. Of course, it is an advantage for Egypt Air to operate away from the competition of low cost carriers (LCCs).
Bassel El-Sissy of the Egyptian Chamber of Travel Agencies is correct about his opinion that the Saudi-Egyptian crisis would affect Egyptians currently performing the Umrah.

Date: 08 April 2010 commenting on http://www.almasryalyoum.com/

Beyond Cairo

Is it unbearable to fly dry without liquid food?
With Egypt Air, the only possible way to go around that is to place a request for a special meal. Similar to any other international airline, Egypt Air caters for most of passenger special meals including Hindu meals and kosher meals. The code for the required meal is BBML which stands for baby meal.
Well, Egypt Air is known for its good formulas.
Bon appétit! Enjoy your meal!

Date: 24 February 2010 commenting on http://jenniferconlin.typepad.com/