Air Cairo flight to repatriate nationals stranded in Germany

CAIRO - 26 April 2020: A flight of Air Cairo airline, which is part-owned by the Egyptian flag carrier EgyptAir, left Sunday to Germany's Frankfurt to bring home Egyptians stranded there.

The operation of the flights falls within the framework of government's plan to repatriate Egyptians in Germany after the suspension of international flights on March 19 as part of state's anti-coronavirus efforts.

The flight will arrive to Marsa Alam airport at 6 PM Sunday, according to a statement issued by the company.

Since the suspension of international aviation on March 19, Egypt operated exceptional flights to bring home thousands of stranded Egyptians.

Minister of Immigration and Expatriate Affairs Nabila Makram told TV host Amr Adib on Friday that stranded Egyptians are classified into categories that are citizens who have been on business trips and tourism trips, were visiting relatives, and students who had to leave the dorms and have nowhere to stay.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi noted last week that around 3,500 Egyptians are still stranded abroad over coronavirus, affirming that authorities are committed to bringing them back despite "hard circumstances."

Aviation suspension in Egypt began on March 19, except for domestic and cargo flights. Also, tourists who had arrived before the date were allowed to complete their program, and leave on scheduled dates beforehand.

A number of tourists requested to remain in Egypt as COVID-19 outbreak took its toll on their countries. Hence, Egyptian authorities approved as long as they go through coronavirus tests instructing the travel agencies to ensure the visitors' visas duration is extended by the Ministry of Interior, and informing their respective countries of their desire.