EgyptAir, Air Cairo to operate flights to repatriate Egyptians abroad

EgyptAir and Air Cairo will operate on Thursday nine special flights from international destinations, including the U.S., to repatriate Egyptians stranded abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ahram Online reported on Wednesday.

The flagship carrier will operate flights to Washington, Guangzhou, Bahrain, Mumbai, Casablanca, Amsterdam and Moscow, while its affiliate Air Cairo will operate two flights to Frankfurt and the Maldives.

Informed sources at the civil aviation ministry said that EgyptAir and Air Cairo will fly back to the Red Sea’s Marsa Alam, a resort selected by authorities for the 14-day hotel quarantine for repatriated Egyptians.

The government is requiring returnees to sign before boarding their flights a written acknowledgement that they agree to be quarantined.

Egypt began repatriating its citizens since March as part of efforts to bring back hundreds of its nationals stranded in various countries owing to the pandemic.

The country is keeping its airspace open to inbound charter and special flights to transport outbound passengers, and to cargo and domestic flights, during a temporary suspension of air traffic since mid-March.

The number of Egyptians stranded abroad due to the coronavirus crisis reached 3,378, according to a statement by Minister of Information Osama Heikal earlier this month.