Cairo is preparing to open its second international airport, Sphinx International, in mid-July, the Egyptian Civil Aviation Ministry has said.
Work on the new airport, near the Giza pyramids, is almost finished, Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Manar told a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
"Ninety per cent of the work on the Sphinx International Airport development project has been completed," Mr Manar said.
The new airport, with the abbreviation SPX, is expected to take a great deal of pressure off Cairo International Airport, which celebrated its 59th anniversary on May 18.
SPX will operate domestic and international flights, and cargo flights, the ministry said.
It opened for a trial period in 2018 for mostly domestic flights, but received its first international flight in 2019, which arrived from Athens.
Although the airport did receive the odd international flight during its trial opening, it did not have the space for large aircrafts and received mostly small and medium-sized planes.
But in 2020, SPX underwent major works to turn it into an international airport, through which visitors to the nearby Giza plateau and coming Grand Egyptian Museum can have easier access to Cairo’s most popular tourist sites.
The ministry said the airport’s size was increased to 24,000 square metres and, when completed, will have a capacity of 900 passengers an hour.
Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said his Cabinet would give priority to the civil aviation sector in its coming agenda.
Mr Madbouly said Sphinx International Airport was particularly important because of its proximity to the Giza plateau, into which the government of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has poured millions to attract large numbers of tourists.
"Massive efforts are being exerted to develop the area ahead of the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum," he said.
Tourism is one of the government's top priorities, particularly in light of the hits the sector took after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which kept two of Egyptian tourism’s most essential national groups from visiting.
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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Leganes v Getafe (12am)
Levante v Alaves (4pm)
Real Madrid v Sevilla (7pm)
Osasuna v Valladolid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Eibar v Atletico Madrid (12am)
Mallorca v Valencia (3pm)
Real Betis v Real Sociedad (5pm)
Villarreal v Espanyol (7pm)
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Monday
Barcelona v Granada (12am)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
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The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
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Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
match info
Southampton 2 (Ings 32' & pen 89') Tottenham Hotspur 5 (Son 45', 47', 64', & 73', Kane 82')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
