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Calls for more domestic airlines increase

Charles Hanson Adu Appointed Vice Chairman of World Safety and Technical Standing Committee

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BY DOMINICK ANDOH PAGE 02 NOTE- ALL FARES ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

High taxes and charges hinder aviation recovery—AFRAA

BY NATASHA APPIAH

perational challenges such as high taxes and charges are Ohindering the recovery and sustainability of airlines in this COVID-19 era and require immediate attention, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé, African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Secretary General has said. African aviation is not expected to return to pre-COVID-19 levels until late 2023. The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) has predicted that African aviation’s recovery will be weaker than expected and reach just 30% of 2019 levels

PAGE 02 2 NOVEMBER 13-14, 2020 news AVIATION Calls for more domestic airlines increase BY DOMINICK ANDOH he increasing demand for World Airlines (AWA) have increased restart operations. equipment for the Ho, Wa, Tamale and domestic air travel, brought frequency in response to demand, the Though there are 13 Ghanaian valid airports in recent times. Ton by the need for safe, less lack of more travelling options by air in- Air Operators Certificate (AOC) holders – The demise of local airlines crowded, efficient means of transport country has led to a significant increase which allows them to operate domestic and City Link led the and increased political activity, has in airfares. and regional passenger and cargo flights growth of domestic air travel in the led to calls for more domestic airlines. An Accra-Tamale return flight now – as at March 2018, only seven are active. country more than a decade ago. They The inactivity of Unity Air since costs about GHC 950; Accra-Kumasi A further eight airlines which hold were later joined by Fly 540, the resumption of domestic flight And Accra-Takoradi return flights now valid Air Carrier Licences (ACL) are and (AWA). operations post-COVID-19 lockdown cost between GHC 800 and GHC 900. working with the regulator toward A combination of managerial fragilities, on May 1, 2020, has also meant limited PassionAir and AWA, for instance, attaining an AOC to enable them start difficult operating environment, lack available seats for the domestic market. operate 20 flights per day between their operations. However, some have of financial muscle in a cash-intensive The indigenous airline became the first Accra and Kumasi—the busiest domestic stalled the process by their inability to industry, and poor equipment choice casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. route. meet stringent regulatory requirements. are but a few of the challenges that It has been inactive since the However, some travellers that spoke The need for such a meeting became brought most of the domestic operators resumption of domestic flightto AviationGhana say they were unable imperative given the growing investment to their knees. operations and doesn’t seem ready to to secure seats to Kumasi and Tamale in on ground airport infrastructure, but City Link suspended operations restart operations. respectively on either airline last Friday there are not enough active airlines five years ago due to various reasons. The procurement process for the and Tuesday respectively. to serve the growing domestic and Fly 540 – a part of African Airline acquisition of two Embraer 145’s for the Industry data show that in regional aviation market. Group, FASTJET – also in May 2014 airline to augment its single aircraft was 2019, a total of 16,499 people The airports operator, Ghana Airports suspended all operations, saying: “The also aborted after the current pandemic travelled by air domestically. Company Limited (GACL), has invested Company intends to fully focus on the derailed its projections. Attempts At Reviving about US$400million in constructing a considerable potential of opportunities “We were in the process of acquiring Defunct Domestic airlines new airport at Ho, rehabilitating the Wa in East and Southern Africa, and this two Embraer 145’s, but due to the The aviation industry regulator, Ghana aerodrome, and the construction of a legacy 540 operation is not, therefore, COVID-19, everything has been put on Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), has new Terminal, Terminal 3, at the Kotoka part of the core low-cost FASTJET hold for now,” a source close to the held meetings with management International Airport (KIA). model”. aborted deal told AviationGhana . of dormant airlines to ascertain the The regulator has also spent significant Though PassionAir and Africa challenges and support they require to sums in the acquisition of navigational

High taxes and charges hinder aviation recovery—AFRAA

BY NATASHA APPIAH format under the theme: “Redefining Similarly, De Havilland Canada, Desire Bantu Balazire, Chief Executive Air Transport for a New Era”. PRODIGY Avia Solutions Limited of Congo Airways was elected Chairman In absolute numbers, the region Mr. Ricardo de Abreu, the Transport and South African Tourism joined the of the Executive Committee. is expected to see around 45 million Minister of the Republic of Angola said: Associations’ partnership programme Ms. Yvonne Makolo Chief Executive travelers in 2020 rising to 70 million “We are conscious of the enabling role which serves as a forum for industry- of RwandAir was elected 1st Vice travelers in 2021. A full return to 2019 that aviation plays in facilitating trade related organisations to support the Chairperson of the Executive levels (155 million travelers) is not and growing our economies. As we development of air transport in Africa. Committee while Ms. Amal Mint expected until late 2023. collectively navigate these times, we will The 52nd AFRAA AGA re-elected Maouloud, CEO of Mauritania Airlines Though domestic and intra-Africa seek to emerge from this pandemic more Mr. Rui Carreira President of the was elected 2nd Vice Chairperson for travel are expected to lead the revival, resilient, organised and determined to Association for the year 2021. Mr. the year 2021 Mr. Berthé noted that this revival process succeed.” can be facilitated with the review of the During the Assembly, key stakeholders high taxes and charges prevalent in emphasized the importance of many markets across the continent. coordinated efforts and a collaborative “This is a pivotal moment in our approach as a way to secure business history as we aim to reposition the continuity. African air transport market towards An appeal was made to governments recovery and sustainability. Now more and development financial institutions than ever, operational challenges faced to continue supporting the industry as by African Airlines have to be prioritised a means to secure the continent’s social and addressed, especially the high taxes and economic recovery given the sector’s and charges that hinder the growth and strategic contribution to national GDP. recovery of carriers on the continent. TAAG Angola Chief Executive “On our part as AFRAA, we tackled Officer Mr. Rui Carreira said: “Our the crisis by resolutely pivoting our strategic deliberations at this 52nd AGA strategic and tactical resources to have set the foundation for the recovery support recovery efforts. We have and successful restart of our industry. launched an interactive capacity sharing “Although we foresee a slow recovery, portal to provide access to market- we are currently implementing key leading services to African airlines, and measures that will restore passenger developed a recovery plan revolving confidence and optimize our operations CONTACT around 9 pillars of interest to the sector for a more affordable and successful and a comprehensive strategic plan that industry.” 055 257 1241 / 055 515 5585 is geared towards helping the industry This year’s summit saw the expansion meet its aspirations,” Mr. Berthé said at of AFRAA’s fraternity with two new the 52nd Annual General Assembly of members including: Overland Airways AFRAA. Limited and Syphax Airways; bringing The AGA, which was hosted by TAAG the association’s membership to 47 Angola Airlines, was held in virtual African airlines. AVIATION GHANA news NOVEMBER 13-14, 2020 3

Charles Hanson Adu Appointed Vice Chairman of World Safety and Technical Standing Committee

The Airport Council International and fire-fighting; (and the removal of (ACI) World Executive Committee on disabled aircraft). Its work especially 3rd November, 2020 approved the relates to ICAO Annex 14 (Aerodromes). nomination and appointment of Mr. The STSC works remotely throughout Charles Hanson Adu, Group Executive, the year but holds two major meetings Airports Management of Ghana Airports at least twice a year at designated Company Limited as the Vice Chairman locations around the world. of the World Safety and Technical Prior to Mr. Charles Hanson Adu’s Standing Committee (STSC). appointment, he previously served as The Safety & Technical Standing Africa’s representative on the STSC. He Committee (STSC) focuses on airport has been part of various working groups planning, design and development; of the STSC leading to the development airspace and airport capacity; physical of guidance documents such as: characteristics of runways, taxiways and -The Emergency Preparedness and aprons, aircraft/airport compatibility Contingency Planning Handbook issues, including the impact of new large -Guidance for African Airports Restart aircraft (NLA); visual aids for navigation; -Draft Airport Certification guide, etc. future air navigation systems; airport Mr. Charles Hanson Adu is the first equipment and installations; safety African to be appointed to this position. management; safety management, including runway and apron safety; aerodrome emergency planning; rescue 4 NOVEMBER 13-14, 2020 AVIATION GHANA AVIATION GHANA news NOVEMBER 13-14, 2020 5

Ethiopian wins ‘Overall Excellence for Outstanding Crisis Leadership 2020 Award’

Ethiopian Airlines Group, the Largest success in leading the fast delivery of life- Aviation Group in Africa, is pleased to saving PPE’s with similar delivery speed announce that it has won the ‘Overall and professional handling during the Excellence for Outstanding Crisis forthcoming global distribution of the Leadership 2020 Award’ from Global COVID-19 vaccine,” Mr. GebreMariam Finance magazine. added. The award recognizes companies that Ethiopian is among the global went above and beyond in responding airlines which played a leading role to the global pandemic crisis and in in transporting medical supplies and assisting their customers, protecting stranded people after COVID-19 struck. their employees and providing critical Since the outbreak, Ethiopian operated support to society at large. over 360 charter cargo flights and Ethiopian Group CEO Tewolde carried medical supplies to over 80 GebreMariam said: “We are glad to countries besides reuniting more than have won the ‘Overall Excellence 63,000 citizens of different countries for Outstanding Crisis Leadership through charter repatriation flights. 2020 Award’ which recognizes our (Ethiopian) is the distinct capabilities of successful fastest growing Airline in Africa. In management of multiple crises taking its seventy plus years of operation, place simultaneously like a perfect Ethiopian has become one of the storm. During the global spread of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in efficiency and operational success. in panic, fear and hopelessness in Ethiopian commands the lion’s share supplies.” airline, we stood in solidarity with the industry; we have demonstrated of the Pan-African passenger and cargo “We have reconfigured 25 passenger the world during the unprecedented resilience, agility and speed of decision network operating the youngest and airplanes for cargo only flights and we crisis and served communities around making and special competency in most modern fleet to 127 international also availed the remaining passenger the globe to cope with the COVID-19 fast redeployment of organizational passenger and cargo destinations across airplanes for repatriation of stranded pandemic challenges. resources to our Cargo division to airlift five continents. people to connect with their loved ones “We are ready to repeat the life-saving COVID-19 PPE and medical back home. As a socially responsible remarkable and globally recognised

IATA welcomes updated ICAO CART Guidance for international transport

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed the publication on the second edition of Take-off: Guidance for Air Travel through the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis by the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART). The CART brings together the expertise of ICAO, public health authorities, individual member states, and industry bodies to support. Under its leadership, the first edition of the Take-off guidance was issued in June 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and provided the groundwork for the multi- layered biosafety measures already implemented by the industry, such as physical distancing, the wearing of face coverings or masks, routine sanitation Public Health Corridors or Travel those related to staff qualification and best advice of public health authorities and disinfection, health screening, Bubbles: training. Unless circumstances dictate such as the World Health Organization contact tracing and passenger health ICAO is asking States which are otherwise, the Take-off guidancewith the technical expertise of aviation declaration forms. considering the formation of a Public recommends that such alleviations regulators and operators. By addressing The following three recommendations Health Corridor (PHC, more commonly should not be extended beyond 31 the need for harmonized COVID-19 are being added to the Take-off guidance known as travel bubbles) to actively March 2021. It is essential that States testing requirements as part of a with the full support of IATA: share information with each other consider flight crew as ‘key workers’ to multi-layered approach, CART is also COVID-19 Testing: to implement these in a harmonized benefit from PHC and are encouraged contributing to building confidence With some States considering the use manner. To facilitate implementation to enable access to medical and training among governments to manage the risks of testing and with the availability of of PHCs, the ICAO Implementation facilities. This includes flight simulation of COVID-19 importation while removing improved COVID-19 testing technology, Package (iPack) on establishing a PHC is training devices used for flight crew barriers to travel such as quarantines. there is a need for guidance material to available to States. to maintain certifications, recency of The aim is to safely reconnect the facilitate harmonization. This is being Extending regulatory alleviations experience and proficiency for licensed world and these recommendations are developed in a Manual on Testing till 31 March 2021: personnel. moving us forward”, said Alexandre and Cross Border Risk Management While maintaining the highest standards “The public should be reassured. de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and Measures and will be a key enabler of for safety, COVID-19 has forced the The Take-off guidance will keep flying CEO. (Source: IATA) IATA’s call for systematic testing before industry to temporarily adapt certain safe through this pandemic with departure for international travelers. regulatory processes, especially recommendations that combine the 6 NOVEMBER 13-14, 2020 AVIATION GHANA AVIATION GHANA feature NOVEMBER 13-14, 2020 7

A Tech Role Model for Nigeria

By Elo Umeh tech sector on this positive trajectory: India’s Aadhaar program, which private companies increased their lowering the cost of mobile data, assigns Indians a unique digital ID with offerings of mobile-money services. For implementing a national identification which they can access government example, the mobile operator Airtel n 2018, African start-ups were program with an open-source benefits and financial services. India’s launched banking services in 2017 to celebrating: they had raised application program interface (API), government released the Aadhaar cater to its 250-million-subscriber base. nearly $1.2 billion in equity – a and embracing digital payments. To API so that developers could integrate Nigeria wants to replicate India’s 108% increase from the previous secure India-style tech growth, Nigeria the program into their systems. Now, transition to a cashless economy, but Iyear. And last year, Nigerian financial- should pursue a similar approach. private companies can tap into the its plan to do so by taxing cash may technology (fintech) companies set One gigabyte of mobile data costs Aadhaar database to perform credit backfire. Instead, it should focus on an even more impressive record, $0.26 in India – the lowest rate in the checks, customer verification, online promoting the use of mobile money. raising $360 million from international world – compared to $12.37 in the United payments, and more. Indians can now Such transactions accounted for investors in a single month (November). States, $6.66 in the United Kingdom, conduct virtually any transaction – pay only 1.4% of Nigeria’s GDP last year, Making the most of the Nigerian tech and $8.53, on average, globally. Indian rent, order a ride to work, or buy lunch compared to 44% in Kenya. This can be sector’s current boom, however, will consumers owe their low data costs to – using their Aadhaar ID. blamed partly on Nigeria’s central bank, take work. The COVID-19 pandemic Reliance Jio, a young telecom operator To some extent, Nigeria is on the which previously limited the banking should be a spur to action. that gained a foothold by offering ultra- right track. In 2014, it introduced an services in which mobile operators Nigeria is certainly on a promising cheap 4G service. To compete, other electronic identity (e-ID) program, could engage, promoting instead a path. Already, it is Africa’s largest providers had to lower their rates which offers a chip-based card to bank-based regulatory framework for technology market by Internet users significantly. everyone with a national identification mobile money. Fortunately, the central and mobile subscriptions, and it boasts In Nigeria, data rates are among the number. But its system remains highly bank lifted these restrictions this year, the second-highest tech-startup density lowest in Africa, with consumers in just fragmented, with 13 separate federal allowing major telecom companies like on the continent. Lagos is fast-becoming four countries (Mozambique, Rwanda, government agencies offering IDs. With MTN to start providing mobile-money a tech hub, with more than 400 startups Egypt, and Sudan) paying less. But the no communication among agencies, services. valued at a total of more than $2 billion. African average remains nearly nine duplicate IDs often are issued. Nigeria’s India has shown that structural Add to that a burgeoning population, times that of Asia, despite some of the government should urgently create reforms are essential to enable tech and Nigeria is beginning to look to like world’s fastest growth rates for mobile- a single unified program similar to companies to innovate and grow. India five years ago. phone subscription and Internet Aadhaar and release the API to private Without cheap data, users cannot access India has long been a leading penetration. developers. the next great e-commerce website. outsourcing destination for global In lieu of a single player changing This would facilitate progress in Without an open-API identification companies, particularly in the the competitive landscape, Nigeria’s the third key area: creating a cashless system and effective mobile-money technology sector. But it has raised government and private sector should economy. India accelerated this process platforms, the economy cannot go its profile significantly over the last share the burden of bringing down with a forceful demonetization in cashless. Nigeria is well positioned to five years, producing 19 “unicorns” mobile-data prices. This means going 2016, when the government suddenly apply these lessons. With the pandemic (companies valued over $1 billion). beyond ordering providers to lower removed 86% of the cash in circulation placing a premium on technologies that On the Global Innovation Index, India their rates, as the Nigerian government – a move that, though far from flawless, facilitate social distancing, it should has climbed from 81st place in 2015 recently did, to liberalize and, along with did drastically reduce the use of cash in start now. to 52nd last year, when it was also the private companies, boost investment in the country. Elo Umeh is CEO and co-founder of world’s third most attractive investment the telecoms sector. It helped that the Indian government Terragon Group, a Nigeria-based data destination for technology transactions. The next step toward fostering a took steps to encourage all forms of analytics and marketing tech company. This year, India’s information- dynamic tech sector – and, more digital payments, including the use of Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2020. technology and back-office sector is broadly, a digitized economy – is to e-wallets. From October to December www.project-syndicate.org expected to grow 7.7%, to $191 billion. create a national-identification program 2016, during demonetization, e-wallet Three key policies put the Indian with an open-source API on par with transactions surged by 163%. Meanwhile, 8 NOVEMBER 13-14, 2020 AVIATION GHANA AVIATION GHANA news NOVEMBER 13-14, 2020 9

Rolls-Royce to accelerate future aerospace technologies with ATI Programme

new project led by Rolls-Royce with and maintain aerospace materials and shore wind turbines. of aerospace innovation excellence in support from the ATI Programme components for future low-carbon A Dr. Ian Mitchell, Chief of Technology the UK supply chain and academia, will make future aerospace servicing engines, including electric technology. and is the culmination of research and technologies a reality. – Repair and Services, Rolls-Royce, They will work on inspection and said: “Our latest engines are quieter development to deliver technologies Engineers will work on 20 technologies repair solutions for composite fan and cleaner than ever before, that place the UK at the forefront of in- that will reduce disruption for airlines technology, which reduces the weight substantially reducing CO2 emissions. service engine performance.” and lessen the environmental impact of a jet engine and will be used in Rolls- This programme will take that one step Work has begun on the project – by repairing components rather than Royce next-generation engine design, further by improving how we service our known as REINSTATE – in Derby, UK and scrapping them. Other industries, such UltraFan. engines, creating technologies which will continue for more than three years, as nuclear and offshore renewables will The new technologies have the will reduce waste, avoid emissions and in conjunction with universities and also benefit from the project. potential to avoid substantial amounts minimise disruption, while laying the SMEs including Roke Manor Research, The technologies include: snake of CO2 every year by: foundations to service the gas turbine BJR Systems, Clifton Photonics, the robots which travel inside jet engines to and hybrid-electric engines of the Manufacturing Technology Centre, the increasing the time engines are access complex parts, enabling repairs future.” University of Nottingham, the University available to fly, avoiding unnecessary which are not possible with today’s of Sheffield, and the University of the maintenance; reducing scrappage by Mark Scully, Head of Technology for tools; engine sensors which send data West of England. repairing more components, rather Advanced Systems & Propulsion, ATI, from the sky and makes it possible than replacing them; reducing the said: “Through-life services are a critical The REINSTATE project is supported to better predict when engines need movement of people and parts by using aspect of ensuring propulsion systems by the ATI Programme, a joint maintenance; inspection and analysis more digital inspection techniques and continue to perform efficiently and with Government and industry investment to tools to inspect parts buried deep within key-hole surgery for engines. minimum impact on the environment. maintain and grow the UK’s competitive engines while they are being repaired; The ATI welcomes this project to the ATI position in civil aerospace design Some of the technologies will and advanced automated repair Programme portfolio and are pleased and manufacture. The programme, have multiple uses and will benefit technologies targeting parts which to see a wealth of expertise from the delivered through a partnership several other industries. For example, cannot currently be repaired, meaning supply chain and academia supporting between the Aerospace Technology miniature chemical analysis tools can they do not need to be scrapped. this important development.” Institute (ATI), Department for Business, be used in nuclear power generation Miniature maintenance and inspection Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and where human access is restricted. High- Ian Campbell, Executive Chair of tools as well as new repair technologies Innovate UK, addresses technology, tech cameras and algorithms will help Innovate UK, which is the funding will be used on the company’s existing capability and supply chain challenges. to identify damage on components in agency for the ATI Programme, said: engines such as the Trent XWB, while sectors as diverse as security and off- “This project represents the coalescing engineers will explore how to repair

Nigeria: Enhancing Osun State tourism to make it a Haven-Dep. Governor

Mr Benedict Alabi, the Osun Deputy transformation initiative necessitated Governor, Nigeria, said the state the Osun Economy and Investment government would continue to enhance Summit, held in the state in 2019; the potentials in tourism and culture sector move that has started yielding positive towards economic sustainability and results in both foreign and local development. investments. Alabi made the remarks while Alabi urged the management and staff declaring the open of a one day of Osun Culture and Tourism to key into workshop on Osun Culture and Tourism the vision of government in developing Master Plan organised by Ministry of the sector for the economic benefit of Culture and Tourism on Thursday in the state. Osogbo. He said, “As a state, we are so much The deputy governor said if the blessed in terms of cultural endowment tourism sector could be fully developed and other resources, which we can as planned, it had the capacity to turn utilize to develop our local economy the state to a tourism haven, with and sustainable prosperity. When this attendant economic benefits andadministration came on board, we improved standard of living for the identified some key sectors of economic citizenry potentials that we can develop for our Alabi noted that the ongoing economic advancement, in which transformation of key sectors of the tourism is one of them. It is therefore state’s economy was specificallynecessary for you to support our targeted Agriculture, Mining, Tourism government to actualize our dreams and Culture as areas of comparative for economic prosperity of the state cost advantage. through this sector”. According to him, the economic (Source: Newsdairy) 10 NOVEMBER 13-14, 2020 tourism AVIATION GHANA

Egypt: Remodeling “City Of The Dead”, improved experience

“When we first came here, our main said Christian Berger, head of the EU object was to conserve the monuments,” delegation in Egypt. she told the Agence France-Presse. “Our intention is to support this type “And we quickly realised that of project that benefits immediately we cannot simply conserve the vulnerable groups and disadvantaged monuments, in disrespect to the people groups, projects that have a broader who live and work in the area,” said socio-economic impact,” Mr Berger Ms Dobrowolska, founder of Archinos said. Architecture, which has worked on The neighbourhood has hosted several conservation projects in Cairo. concerts, from jazz to folk and Work in the ateliers was interrupted traditional Egyptian music, and visual for several weeks because of the Covid-19 artists from Egypt and abroad have pandemic, but now the workshops are come to show their work. again up and running, with some 50 The aim is to bring “contemporary art women making leather products and and culture here to enhance diversity jewellery, all stamped with the local of cultural expression [and] artistic brand Mishka. expression, to build bridges between Aida Hassan, 45, has worked in the east and west,” said Ms Dobrowolska. In Egypt’s “City of the Dead”, the reception area of a residential leather workshop for three years, Another hope of the project in centuries-old monuments are being complex of the sultan. and said she was happy to be earning transforming the neighbourhood is to restored and artisanal heritage revived, The EU contributed nearly 1 million “1,500 pounds ($96) per month – and draw in tourists. turning a corner of the vast historical euros ($1.1 million) towards the latest sometimes more”. The “City of the Dead” is sometimes cemetery into a vibrant neighbourhood project, “The Heritage for the Living, “This project has helped improve an object of superstition due to its status full of life. in the ‘City of the Dead’”, which my income,” she said, insisting she as a necropolis, and is not a usual stop Wood, leather and jewellery launched in 2018 and focuses on social had gone on to train other women in on mainstream Cairo tours. workshops have joined those of development. leatherwork. But it is the tourists who are looking glassblowers and others near the 15th- The project co-ordinator, architect Hundreds of women and children in for something out of the ordinary that century mosque of Sultan Qaitbay, in Agnieszka Dobrowolska, was a linchpin the neighbourhood have benefited from Ms Dobrowolska said the project was the east of the capital Cairo. to the area’s metamorphosis. courses and workshops on subjects counting on. From the Mameluke period, the She supervised the restorations of the such as science and technology, English “We seek to attract tourists who celebrated structure – featured on monuments and the renovation of the language and sports. are off track from the mass tourism Egypt’s one-pound notes – is surrounded workshop and their signage, as well as For the EU, the primary donor to the destinations – people who might by tombs, dusty alleys and informal designed jewellery and leather products project – due to end in 2021 – the social appreciate and enjoy the unique urban housing. inspired by Mameluke motifs. elements of the programme were key, character of the necropolis,” she said. Since 2014, a series of projects financed by the European Union has changed the face of this small section of the sprawling necropolis – home to many people who are unable to afford Cairo’s high rents. Authorities began construction on a major road in July a short distance from the Qaitbay mosque, drawing strong criticism online for the resulting demolitions and evictions of residents of the City of the Dead. A final resting place for illustrious figures, including singer Farid Al Atrash and writer Ihsan Abdel Kouddous as well as ordinary Egyptians, the Islamic necropolis founded in the seventh century stretches over 6.5 kilometres. “Before the projects, there was rubbish all over the streets,” said Issem Abou Rami, 57, who owns a small restaurant facing the mosque. Now, a lorry comes every day to collect it.” Products made in the impoverished neighbourhood are now sold in elegant booths under restored stone arches – and even online. The renovation efforts started six years ago with the refurbishment of a drinking trough for animals, and then,

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