Property investors with holiday homes for rent in and around The Red Sea resort of Hurghada in Egypt will be buoyed by an announcement that there are plans for a new terminal at the international airport.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has signed contracts with a Saudi Arabian development group to construct the new terminal which will increase capacity from some 6.7 million to 7.5 million passengers annually.

Located 5km from downtown Hurghada, the new terminal will cover 92,000 sq.m and cost of construction is estimated at 587 million Egyptian Pounds (approx £66 million). Completion is scheduled for 2011.

Hurghada international airport the primary gateway to the popular holiday destinations of the Red Sea coast the additional capacity of the new terminal can only spell good news for tourism and in turn the second property market.

Steven Worboys, MD of international property specialists, Experience International, said: “Interest in the Hurghada area as a location for a second property ownership has been strong, especially as the region has developed into an established tourism destination in recent years.

“The announcement of the new terminal is encouraging for property owners who will enjoy greater access to their own homes as well as capitalising on the opportunity to generate rental income from additional visitors to the area.

“For those interested in owning a second property with guaranteed rental income in Hurghada then the Florenza Khasmin development, located only 15 minutes from the international airport, is the right choice.

“Studios apartments are available from only £21,000 with 6 percent guaranteed rental income and up to four weeks personal usage available.

• Overweight Fly to let customers travelling by air to their destinations should have to pay a ‘Fat Tax’ according to the majority of people who took part in a recent poll on the subject.

76 percent of the 550 people who took part in the Skyscanner survey said airlines should charge force those who could not comfortably fit into a standard airline seat to purchase a second seat, normally at a discounted rate, while only 22 percent of voters disapproved against such a move.

Although it turned out a recent story about Air France introducing a ‘Fat Tax’ had been misreported, it did serve the reignite the debate over the ‘weighty’ subject.
Barry Smith, Skyscanner’s co-founder and director, said: “So called ‘Fat Tax’ is a very sensitive issue for airlines; they will have to tread carefully so as not to alienate heavier passengers.

“On one hand, it’s not unreasonable for airlines to charge passengers extra if they occupy more than one seat. On the other, many would argue that it should be the responsibility of airlines to adjust their standard seat size, enabling them to comfortably accommodate all passengers.”

Although the majority of those polled voted in favour of such a move, many felt such charges would be unfair.

“Seats should be suitable for all: tall, short, fat or thin. One person, one fare” said one Skyscanner user. Others suggested that charges should be calculated on the weight of the person and baggage combined.

The Pacific island of Nauru is currently classified as the world’s fattest country with 94.5 percent of the population overweight, according to the WHO. The UK ranks as the 28th fattest country, with 63.8 percent of Brits testing the scales.

With the average weight of humans trending upwards, it’s possible that adjustments to standard seat sizes will have to be made at some point in the future. There may also be opportunities for airlines to specifically target the overweight sector, offering entire planes with larger seats, or a range of seat sizes at different prices.

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