Cairo, July 21 (QNA) - HE Regional Director of the Middle East Office at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Eng. Mohamed Abu Bakr Farea praised the Qatari initiative to shorten air routes in Egyptian airspace, the second phase of which was launched today.

In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), on the sidelines of a press conference held today at the end of coordination meetings between the civil aviation authorities of the State of Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt, Farea said that launching the second phase of the State of Qatar's initiative offers significant benefits to both countries as well as to countries in the region and companies operating in this field.

He pointed out that this initiative will reduce emissions and lower costs, pointing to the need for the initiative to be expanded worldwide.

It is noteworthy that the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) announced earlier Monday the launch of the second phase of the Qatari initiative to shorten air routes in Egyptian airspace, following the successful implementation of the first phase.

The announcement was made during a joint press conference held Monday in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, It was addressed by Mohamed bin Faleh Al-Hajri, In Charge of Managing QCAA, HE Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, and HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Egypt Tariq Ali Faraj Al-Ansari. (QNA)