No - you are making the false assumption that arrivals and departures are above each other. This is not the case in Cairo (nor in many other places). They are beside each other at ground level.

You do exactly as RTW4 says... when you exit from customs into the "greeters and taxi drivers" arrival hall turn to you left; walk to the end of the hall and you will see a large staircase descending. Go down these steps and straight on for about 40metres/yards to a similar set of steps going up (back to ground level) which brings you to the departures hall immediately outside the BA ticket office.

You do not need to go outside the building at all. Once you have got to the "meeters & greeters" area you do not go through any other doors.

There is a small cafe in the underpass which is open all night.

[This message has been edited by christep (edited Jan 12, 2004).]