Egyptian airport bucks downward travel trend

Marsa Alam Airport, the main airport servicing Egypt’s southern Red Sea area, has reported year-on-year growth of 16% for July, with flight movement into and out of the airport up 17%.

“The success of Port Ghalib, the Red Sea’s new luxury resort, is the main driver behind the growth in passenger numbers and in flight movements at the airport. We have seen increasing numbers of passengers coming from across Europe and the Middle East, a reversal of the trends of other Egyptian airports and resorts, and certainly against the trend in other European and Middle Eastern tourist destinations,” said airport GM Hussein Refky.

”We have recently added flights from Kuwait and Jeddah, and expect to continue growing passenger numbers and the number of routes covered from the airport.”

Italian passengers, which represent 52% of all visitors this year, increased 3% - with the number of German visitors increasing by the same amount. UK passengers were up 34% on the same period last year, while Kuwaiti visitors grew 1000%.

“Even with this continued growth, standards at Marsa Alam airport remain world class and customer satisfaction is maintained at its highest possible level,” continued Refky.

”93% of flights take off within 15 minutes of their scheduled time, check in times remain exceptionally good, with an average of three people per minute, and it is taking an average of six minutes from arrival to immigration clearance.”

“Despite seeing some of the worst overall conditions the global tourism industry has seen in our life time, Port Ghalib continues to see an increase in the number of visitors. People continue to be attracted by the affordable luxury the resort offers, with its three five star hotels, Six Senses spa, world class marina and international standards conference facilities,” explained Ibrahim Saleh, VP of AL-Kharafi Group, the owner of Port Ghalib Resort Company.

”Of course, the spectacular natural setting – above and below the Red Sea – is among the key attractions, and we fully expect to see this growth trend continue as the resort’s reputation continues to spread.”