EGYPT REDUCED QATARI FLIGHT ROUTE

Cairo, 23 Dhulhijja 1434/28 October 2013 (MINA) – Minister of Civil Aviation Abdel Aziz Fadel said the number of flights running between Egypt and Qatar will be reduced from 21 to 16 flights a week starting Friday.

In statements to the press on Sunday, Fadel said the decision to cut flights has nothing to do with political relations between the two countries. “It only serves EgyptAir’s economy of operation better”, he explained, Egypt Independent reported as quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

“We are keen on maintaining relations with Qatar. The increase in flights from 16 to 21 a week in May came after ousted President Mohamed Morsy  told the Aviation Ministry to sign an agreement to increase [flights]. We will return to the normal operation on Friday, which better serves our interests.”

He added that Qatari authorities asked Egypt to sign an agreement to increase flights or to keep the current number of flights, however, Egypt has declined the request since it is not in the interest of Egypt to increase flights.

He also said Egypt declined a similar request by Turkey to increase flights to 42 a week instead of 21.

On the other hand, Egypt’s aviation authorities at Cairo international airport have said that three airline companies had to cancel five scheduled flights to Saudi Arabia, Italy, Jordan and Libya on Sunday due to low traffic and economic revenue.

The cancelled flights were Egypt Air, flight 601 to Yanbu; Saudi Arabia, flight 930 to Bergamo; Italy, Royal Jordanian flight 502 to Amman and Libyan Airlines flight 203 to Tripoli and flight 217 to Misrata. The flights’ passengers were rebooked with other flights.

Sources have said that Egyptian pilgrims who were returning from Saudi Arabia have helped to compensate for the declined number of passengers between Egypt and other countries. There are currently 45 incoming flights from Saudi Arabia to Egypt. Egypt Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines, as well as five private airlines operate flights between the two countries.

(T/P03/P04)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)