On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi inaugurated the first edition of the Egypt International Aerospace and Aviation Exhibition 2024 in New Alamein. The exhibition, under the patronage of President el-Sisi, spans three days and features the participation of 300 companies and organizations from over 100 countries, representing leaders in the aerospace and aircraft manufacturing industries.
This event, the largest of its kind in Africa and the Middle East, aims to bolster the systems of manufacturing and digitization in aviation, defense, and aerospace sectors. It serves as an international platform for aerospace industries and space agencies to discuss achievements in space exploration, satellite communications, and the civil and military applications of space technology.
Numerous aviation and aerospace industry experts from around the world, along with heads of international and regional organizations related to civil aviation, are attending the exhibition. The event also features world-class aerial displays over the skies of New Alamein.
President el-Sisi took part in a commemorative photo with participants and inspected the exhibits of both national and global companies involved in the exhibition. During his visit to the Arab Organization for Industrialization’s pavilion, Major General Mukhtar Abdel Latif, the head of the organization, provided detailed explanations of their aerospace products and activities.
General Abdel Latif highlighted that their engine factory is authorized by the French company Safran to be the only global center for the overhaul of the “Alpha Jet” engines. Additionally, it has received accreditation from the American company Honeywell to overhaul the K-8E training aircraft engines.
President el-Sisi expressed his gratitude to France and the Dassault Aviation company for their constructive cooperation in the aviation sector. He noted that the Rafale aircraft fleet has become the second-largest fleet in the Egyptian Air Force.
The French pavilion’s official praised the longstanding, constructive partnership with Egypt in aviation, particularly with the Arab Organization for Industrialization, spanning 15 years. President el-Sisi also reviewed the EgyptAir pavilion and learned about new contracts for 10 Airbus 350s and 18 Boeing aircraft, part of a strategic plan to expand EgyptAir’s fleet to 125 aircraft by 2028.
During his inspection of the United Arab Emirates’ pavilion, President el-Sisi received explanations from Mona Ahmed Al Jaber, Chairperson of the UAE’s Defense Companies Council. She valued the president’s visit and emphasized the UAE’s participation as vital for reinforcing the strong bilateral ties shared with Egypt, reflecting shared visions and ambitions.
The exhibition marks an essential milestone for Egypt in showcasing its growing capabilities in the aerospace industry and highlights the region’s strategic importance in the global aerospace and defense markets.
