Over 20 flights cancelled in Cairo

Over 20 flights were cancelled today at Cairo International Airport due to the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.

Despite the national carrier's losses as a result of cancelling 10 per cent of its daily flights, the main problem at the airport is the chaos caused by tens of thousands of stranded passengers, Cairo International Airport chief Hasan Rashid said.

President of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation Ibrahim Manna said that losses at the airport are estimated at 1.8 million pounds.

In the tourism sector, hotels have benefited from the situation with stranded air passengers in Cairo were being forced to extend their stay until the skies over Europe are declared safe for flights.

The biggest losers are the travel companies, because many tourists expect them to pay for their extended hotel stays and return flights when available.