Egyptair Joins Star Alliance

[A300Man]

Announced on the Star Alliance and bmi websites, amongst others.

[michael.e]

http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/press_releases/2007/20071016_EgyptAir_final.html

[ODMEA]

Why any alliance would want MS is beyond me.:eek: That outfit is a shambles at the best of times.They buy new planes and crew can be friendly but behind the scenes operations to the point of safety come into serious question.

Mt 2 cents

Oddy

[airmemphis]

Oddy, I'd be very interested to see some reasoning behind your claim. The safety culture at MS is very healthy.

As for why an alliance would want MS ... the airline has achieved a remarkable turnaround since the formation of the holding company in 2002. It has a growing fleet of modern aircraft and extensive operations within Egypt, to Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America. They have Embraers, B738s, A330s and B777-300ERs joining the fleet soon with more orders for more aircraft to be expected. In 2008 the airline's hub will get a major boost with the opening of the new Terminal 3 which will house MS and Star partners. Service and product levels are on the rise and you'll see continued improvements in the near future.

[Al Fakhem]

Well, if Star Alliance are prepared to accept Air India (this is no joke, it's been made official)............ :eek:

[kotakota]

Sadly , it is just an excuse to put fares up . Pity , as MS have been very good for me down this neck of the ( Mediterranean ) woods.
If transitting through Cairo ,and changing airlines , prepare yourself for the experience of a lifetime . Changing terminals at Cairo is one of lifes worst offerings , cannot be done without 'tipping' somebody .No free transport . Even though you do not need a visa for Sinai ( Red Sea / Gulf of Aqaba ) , you do need one to change from International to Domestic terminals at Cairo ( $15US at a 'scrum' ).
On arrival at Sharm you will be amazed to see this wondrous new terminal shaped like a bedouin tent. Sadly , that is the total extent of modernisation . The immigration experience is straight out of 1984 , and even when you have the relevant visa and passport stamped correctly , you still have to offer your passport to yet another individual and waste another 10-20 minutes of your life . Crew do not have any facilities ie immigration lane / security etc and your passport is stamped every arrival and departure. my passport issued in 03 is nearly full thanks to our ops out of Sharm ( that is only occasional trips too ).
The good news ? That will be yesterdays phone call from base to say that I will never be coming here again !!

[Airbus_a321]

@kotakota
if you fly alot into Egypt and before get your passport wasted with their stamps, you may ask them for the seperate crew leaflet, which they will then use to put their stamps on it.
So at least you safe your own passport. You need only a passport seized photo for this leaflet.
Hope it helps.

[airmemphis]

The opening of the new Terminal 3 at CAI later this year is expected to coincide with MS's assimilation to Star. All MS operations along with all Star partners will be located to the new building allowing for seamless transfer, so changing terminals won't be an issue. And Kotakota, there are free shuttle busses between the terminals.

[ODMEA]

My reasoning airmemphis is a very close CPT for MS, a local Eyptian. No airline is perfect but what I've heard and continue to hear means you would never get me on an MS ac again(that goes for a few other carriers too)

Sure they are trying really hard and I aknowledge that but I am merely going off what I am told and its hardly encouraging.

As for the CAI experience why do you think a new shinny terminal is going to alter local behaviour of airport processing staff?? Organised chaos at best.

Oddy

[kotakota]

airmemphis , thanks for your info .
This is all very nice , having shiny new terminals etc , but they have got to stop treating all visitors ( including aircrew in uniform ) as if they are carrying the plague / armed to the teeth etc. Being constantly shouted at , or ignored , by some spotty individual whose 'power' derives from the ak-47 he totes , is very wearying , however much I enjoy Egypt when I am there.
and for your info , we were ripped off by some Egyptair 'official' who assured us that we had to pay to change terminals . I am fed up with having to pay some 'present' to some check-in handler , knowing that I might not see my case again if I don't agree.

[airmemphis]

ODMEA, I would be very interested to know exactly what it is you've been hearing about MS that is worrying you. I can assure you the airline meets all safety and maintenance standards. The performance and work of MS M&E and FOs are accredited by many and the increase in 3rd party work is a testament to this. As for your point about immigration processes I agree that the system is need of modification. I hear that Fraport and CAC are working to rectify this.

Kotakota, The activites of a few bad apples is certainly unacceptable and I will not excuse it. The old age mentality of a state owned company persists at some MS and CAI staff however as with most things in Egyptian aviation this is changing. For example around 70% of MS's F/As are new recruits who receive extensive training centred around high customer satisfaction and safety. There is no doubt there are still other improvements needed, however to discredit or brush aside whats been achieved since 2004 is perhaps unfair. I feel MS's past image plays a major role in this with many just assuming things haven't changed since or only marginally improved.

[kotakota]

Airmemphis , please understand I do not have an axe to grind with MS , I have used them many times as have other family memebers . Its just the 'airport' experience which puts one off.
The worst experience of my life was last New Year ( 06/07) when I flew into Cairo to change to Kenya Airways for a flight to Nairobi ( MS flight not convenient hence the need to change terminals ).
The 1 hour wait for a bus to the International Terminal , the demand for baksheesh from the driver before he would let me off , the ordeal of sitting for 2 hours next to the smelliest toilet I have EVER experienced ( and i have spent years flying around darkest Africa ) while a security guard ignored my pleas for info about what was happening to my ticket and passport , the eventual return of these WITH my boarding pass - must be the only airport in the world where you can acquire a Boarding Pass without being present / identified etc - the headlong rush to get to the gate. All totally unnecessary.
They do not seem to have a 'normal' transit system which is a pity as there are many flights to many parts of the world through Cairo at a very reasonable price. I just cannot recommend the experience to anyone because of my history there.
Pity.

[pzu]

2001 - 2004 Occaisionally had recourse to KQ/KLM ex KRT to AMS and beyond supposedly KQ First & KLM Business approx 4 hrs layover in Cairo of which 1 - 2 in the BLACK HOLE then if lucky released to the Upper World and still as Business Class had to 'blag' my way into the Business Lounge!!!

It's Africa and things take time plus either a 'brass neck' or baksheesh!!!

PZU - Out of Africa

[airmemphis]

Kotakota, I agree that work is needed but remember that up until now CAI caters for point to point travel. In fact in 2006 (2007 figures not yet finalised) only 1.4% of passengers using the airport were transiting the facility, so the infrastructure is not designed to handle this type of traffic. Furthermore remember that the airport is operating over its design capacity which only makes operations even more difficult. T1 was overhauled a few years back and once T3 opens, T2 will be rennovated and connected to T3 with an air bridge. MS are already seeking an extention of T3 as the airline expects a rapid growth in flights/passengers with its new business model.

With MS planning to develop a true hub & spoke operation at CAI (currently its arguably just a base) and with the full backing of the ECAA, CAC and Fraport one should see an overhaul of operations.

[kotakota]

airmemphis , thanks for the info . It will get better I am sure.

[airmemphis]

Kotakota, well lets certainly hope so.

[777Pasha]

Problems in Cai airport,yes....safety standards...NO...those pilots can outfly most professional pilots...

[PHAROH]

The aviation industry depen on individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives , Not how professional the pilots are (ONE MAN SHOW)
ORGANIZATION OBJECTIVES !!!!! :confused: