ZAMBIA and Egypt are engaged in talks on the possibility of EgyptAir resuming a direct flight between Lusaka and Cairo following the suspension of flights on the route.Egypt Air operated seven flights into Lusaka from January 17 - 28, 2011 after the inaugural flight launch.
Egyptian ambassador to Zambia Salah El Sadek said discussions are currently underway with the Government to restart the route.
“This is an issue I hope will be resolved with the new changes in the new Government, we have had some challenges within, we are now in contact to try to resume the operations of the airline which already worked seven flights to Lusaka from 17 to 28 January, but ironically the revolution also happened in our country,” he said.
Mr El Sadek said this in an interview in Lusaka on Wednesday last week.
He said apart from the revolution challenge in that country, there were some internal ones within Zambia.
“I don’t want to use the words that we were chased out.., I must say we faced some challenges and we are discussing it now with the new government hoping to reach a decision soon and start operating in the country,” he said.
He said once the flights resume; it will boost trade between the two countries and contribute significantly to tourism development.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Egypt that visited Zambia recently is impressed with the economic stability of the country.
He said Egyptian investors are interested to explore further investments opportunities in key sectors of the economy.
“We are expecting more investors here although we have challenges until the elections (in Egypt),” he said.
