Air charter companies have seen a rise in enquiries for Egypt charters as tensions continue in the country.
Air Charter Service (ACS) said it has seen more requests from worried businesses that have employees in the country as clashes between former president Morsi’s supporters and opponents continue.
Protests began on 30 June but are expected to be reignited as the Muslim festival of Ramadan starts, with thousands to call for Morsi’s reinstatement. At least 54 people are thought to have died in the protests so far and last week had prompted the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to advise against travel to most areas except Red Sea and South Sinai resorts.
Several charter firms have had aircraft on standby for several days at Cairo Airport to use if necessary.
“We have been getting a large amount of calls from worried companies and have already placed various aircraft on standby at Cairo Airport in order to fly into Dubai in case the situation deteriorates. We are also receiving requests to fly to Cyprus and other surrounding countries to escape the troubles in Egypt,” said Justin Bowman, deputy managing director at ACS.
Charter companies have been used to arranging mass evacuations in the last two years during the Arab Spring.
Hotel rates plunge
Hotels in Egypt have dramatically dropped their prices in the wake of protests in the country.
Prices in Alexandria and Cairo are down 18% and 13% respectively for one night in July compared to last year. An average night in Alexandria now starts from GBP85 while Cairo rates start from GBP71, according to trivago.
Although travel advice from the FCO states that Red Sea resorts are still fine to visit, resorts in Dahab, Taba and Hurghada have decreased rates by 23%, 15% and 8% respectively. Prices in Sharm-el-Skeikh are relatively the same.
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