Gulf Crisis: EgyptAir posts heavy losses over ban on flights to Qatar

Egypt’s national flag carrier EgyptAir has revealed that the ongoing blockade imposed by the North African country, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain on Qatar over its alleged support for terrorism has created a significant dent in the airline’s figures.

Saudi Arabia and its allies since June last year have severed ties with Doha and imposed a sea/air/ground blockade on the tiny gas-rich country over its alleged endorsement for terrorism and strong ties with regional arch enemy Iran.

The boycotting countries have banned Qatari planes from using their air space and banned their airlines from flying passengers to the emirate.

Speaking before the parliament on Monday, EgyptAir Chairman, Ahmed Adel said the ongoing blockade has caused “heavy losses” for the airline, Middle East Monitor reports.

Ahmed Adel told the parliament’s tourism and civil aviation committee that the cessation of EgyptAir flights to Doha has incurred heavy losses on the company.

The conflicts and political instability in Libya and Yemen according to the airline official have also had a toll on the company’s annual sales.

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