Egypt will start to manufacture an Egyptian satellite to control air traffic in a few weeks, a senior Egyptian official said on Wednesday.

 

In a statement, Civil Aviation Minister Ahmed Shafiq said the satellite will be put into operation in 2010, adding that it is a pressing demand for Egypt to launch a satellite to serve the growing number of flights in Egyptian airports.

 

The number of airport passengers annually increase by 6 percent in Egypt, higher than the current world rates, Shafiq said.

 

Although the construction of the third passenger terminal of Cairo International airport is now almost finished and the terminal is expected to be open next year, the ministry is planning to build a fourth one, according to Shafiq.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2007)