An EgyptAir official ridiculed British Airways for cutting flights to Cairo “without a logical reason” as questions continue to swirl around the mysterious and unilateral cancellation.
British Airways suspended flights to Cairo for at least one week, citing security concerns.
But EgyptAir’s Vice President, Sherif Ezzat Badrous, ridiculed the move during a Boeing 787 delivery ceremony in Cairo yesterday:
What happened three days ago was unexpected completely, and without a logical reason.
Until now, at this moment, we don’t have any logical reason for the actions taken by British Airways. You can ask them about the true reasons.
A statement by the Egyptian Aviation Ministry expressed “displeasure at British Airways’ taking a decision unilaterally concerning the security of Egyptian airports without referring to the competent Egyptian authorities.” That’s a serious charge.
BA simply refuses to discuss the matter further beyond superfluous statements that service is suspended “as a precaution to allow for further assessment”. Lufthansa temporarily followed British Airways’ lead, but after discussion with German and Egyptian security officials, resumed flights after one day. Air France never suspended flights and came to a similar conclusion after consulting with French and Egyptian officials. In fact, no other airlines cancelled flights.
CONCLUSION
I think British Airways or the new British government has an obligation to warn citizens if BA was acting upon credible evidence. Absent further elaboration, BA’s motives will continue to be (rightfully) questioned.
image: Dennis Jarvis / Flickr
Says the airline who had one of their jets blown up enroute from Paris to Cairo in 2016.
Yup exactly from Paris…so the real authorities to be questioned are the French!
Unless BA shares what information they have or have been given we’ll all be speculating away in the dark. I cannot imagine BA would do this without good reason. Egypt however is a pain for some airlines, plenty of talk of trouble to get funds out and restricting the local point of sale so maybe before ridiculing BA they can work on getting their country in better shape?
I agree with both comments. I have relatives in Alexandria, Egypt that I occasionally visit and I will not fly EgyptAir or connect through Cairo airport. I have tried them once and that was enough for me.
Yikes. Just as this was all unfolding, I was booking a roundtrip flight from Austin, Texas, to Cairo. I am an invited keynote speaker at a university and will be staying with Egyptian friends, natives of Cairo. Flying Lufthansa except for one leg of the return trip: EgyptAir from Cairo to Frankfurt. Already a bit worried, but figuring the odds are in my favor. Adib I’m wondering why you wouldn’t fly on EgyptAir or through Cairo?
Lori, If you are being met by friends at Cairo airport then you will do fine. You are also flying a short leg on EgyptAir from Cairo to Frankfurt so that shouldn’t be too bad. I just didn’t care for my one experience on EgyptAir from Heathrow to Cairo. From the ticketing to the boarding to the service and meals I thought it was below par. I usually fly Lufthansa from Frankfurt directly to Alexandria.
Have a safe and pleasant trip.
@Adib you are obviously NOT a frequently traveler. Frankfurt – Alexandria stopped ages ago!
@LoriP I fly to Cairo 3-5 times ayear from SFO via FRA or MUC. I go out of my way to MS metal over LH. The hard product on MS business class is superior. I just flew on their 787 in May and was amazing. I agree with Adib the soft product could use some polishing but still way better than LH.
HMZ Lufthansa stopped flying from Frankfurt to Alexandria only three years ago and not ages ago. I checked. I also did state that I only fly occasionally to Alexandria. Please don’t be so impulsive next time.
Egypt is the safest country in earth and Egyptair is good airline ,The problem is anti Egyptians spreading rumours about Egypt , but they can’t stop Egypt progress.
Also, Egypt has the most trees of any country and has very little sand right?
Yes, Egypt is a veritable oasis
I agree with u… all such comments which fly away from the point of how an individual airline take such action with no explanation!!!!… to just criticize Egypt and cairo airport which although not one of the best of the world but was told to be better than many famous european and american airports… all these type of comments just show its owned to only paid internet rats… no insult its just known expressions !!!