The recent Muslim-Christian clashes in the poor Cairo districts of Imbaba and Ain Shams have slowed down the aviation movement into Egypt by 40 per cent during the past week, a senior airport official said Sunday.
Major General Hassan Rashid, the head of the Cairo Airport Authority, said that the arrival and departure traffic had have been fluctuating since the January 25 Revolution.
“There is a close link between political unrest and air traffic movement in Egypt,” Maj Gen Rashid said, adding that the Cairo Airport has witnessed a 72 per cent increase in the number of aircraft arrivals and departures earlier in the month.
“But, the sectarian unrest that erupted between the Muslims and the Copts in Imbaba and Ain Shams has slowed down air traffic movement by 40 per cent after it saw an increase with the beginning of May,” Rashid said.
However, he expected a quick recovery that would boost the business when the whole situation becomes stable.
“Earlier in the month, the aviation industry has witnessed a 72 per cent increase, which was a good indication that air movement is regaining its strength. But, the Imbaba and Ain Shams events later in the month have slowed it down by 40 per cent,” he said.
Stability, Rashid added, would help Egypt’s air traffic trade recover from its brief disruptionâ€.‬