L’ambitieux plan d’action – Le Jeune Indépendant

Algiers’ new airport terminal enters service (Fateh Guidoum / PPAgency)

The CEO of the Algiers Airport Services and Infrastructure Management Company (SGSIA), Mokhtar Said Mediouni, took stock of his three months at the head of this establishment and above all presented his great ambitions for the development of this infrastructure and the improvement of service provision. The head of Algiers airport intends to revolutionize the management and operation of this infrastructure, in particular with the integration of new technologies and artificial intelligence.

It is an ambitious action plan that the CEO of SGSIA presented yesterday at the Daily Forum El Moudjahidwhere he deplored the “lamentable situation” in which he found this establishment. Saying that he was ready to listen and take care of citizens’ requests, Mr. Mediouni mentioned the problem often raised by passengers, relating to the delay in baggage recovery, the management of which is not the responsibility of the establishment but depends on the handling company. According to the explanations of this manager, SGSIA teams are leaving as reinforcements to carry out the operation in a short time. He noted the provision of electric scooters to airport staff to facilitate their movement throughout all areas of the airport. The problem of long queues at the parking lot, deplored daily by citizens, was also mentioned by the speaker, who explained this situation by the fact that some devices become obsolete after years. “Systems that were received years ago and did not work become obsolete over time,” said Mr. Mediouni, noting the upcoming equipment of these car parks with charging stations for electric cars.

A great interest in people with reduced mobility is also a priority for Mr. Mediouni. “They will be taken care of upon their arrival at the airport and accompanied at all stages, until boarding,” he said. As for the exorbitant prices charged mainly in catering establishments at the International Airport, widely criticized by passengers who continue to express their fed up on social networks, the first manager of the establishment has announced a reduction in drink prices. “Coffee starts at 150 DA and a bottle of mineral water is 100 DA,” he said, signaling the downward revision of these prices soon with the installation of vending machines at the level of the parking and departures.

The hajis welcomed in good conditions

The fact that Algiers International Airport is becoming a hub is taking shape, according to this official, noting the large number of passengers from different continents who stopover in Algeria. However, support from banks and the opening of exchange offices are required. Other services are also called upon to support this trend, like telephone operators who must provide 24-hour services. Mr. Mediouni particularly welcomed the conditions in which the hajis are welcomed this year, highlighting an “arrival comfortable” of the latter. “It’s huge management. You have to manage a lot of things at once and ensure that they don’t delay at the airport,” he explained, claiming to have processed 260 passengers in 33 minutes the day before yesterday. “This is a first in the history of Algiers International Airport. We broke the record,” he said, recalling the mobilization of all those involved. “There was good coordination between all the services concerned, namely the DGSN, Customs and Air Algérie,” explained the guest of the Forum.El Moudjahid, who also returned to the preparations underway to welcome vacationers in good conditions. “In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic, the diaspora must be welcomed in the best conditions,” he noted.

A mobile application in the next few days

Modernizing airport management is a priority for Mr. Mediouni, who says he is doing all he can to achieve this objective. It is therefore a question of banishing “archaic” management and introducing new technologies and artificial intelligence. In this sense, he recalled the signing of an agreement with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to work on the airport of the future.

He, among other things, highlighted the need to move to facial recognition at the airport for greater fluidity. The commissioning of a mobile application, which provides passengers with all the necessary information, constitutes a step forward. The latter is now ready and will be downloadable within a week. “The application is functional. It will give all the information on flights, the availability of parking spaces at the car park and also the availability of transport,” explained the speaker.

Priority to national products

The CEO of SGSIA also returned to other projects, such as the project to extend the East terminal, which is underway and would be ready, according to him, next year. The advantage given to local production was also highlighted by the speaker, who said he had taken the decision to stop importing trolleys that cost 300 euros. These will now be replaced by those produced locally in the wilaya of Annaba.

The possibility of manufacturing baggage conveyor belts locally was also mentioned by Mr. Mediouni, who announced the preparation of a framework agreement with the Ministry of Industry. The manager also had to speak about the airport’s recruitment needs (jobs to ensure the maintenance of the infrastructure and new jobs) as well as the matter of the hiring of Mister AB as spokesperson, which sparked a great deal of controversy. Presenting himself as a defender of the workers who are the strength of the company, Mr. Mediouni announced the opening of free shops in the coming months.