Wael Hamed shared that during discussions with Indian authorities last year about the Cairo-Delhi flights, there was optimism that these flights would maintain high occupancy rates. “Filling these flights will indeed be a significant achievement,” the ambassador expressed.
While the recent enhancements in connectivity between Egypt and India are a strategic move, Wael Hamed, Ambassador of Egypt to India pointed out that the tourist traffic in 2023 from India was ‘disappointing’.
“Only 150,000 Indian tourists visited Egypt last year, a modest figure in comparison to the 25 million Indian tourists who travel abroad annually. Direct connectivity is crucial for fostering a fruitful relationship, and the new routes are poised to increase tourist traffic from India to Egypt,” stated Hamed.
To note, Egypt’s tourism sector was somewhat affected by the Gaza conflict, but the impact was cushioned by high pre-existing bookings and strategic measures from the government and tourism operators. Being largely unaffected by the conflict, Egypt welcomed 14.9 million tourists in 2023 according to the sources.
Speaking further on the newly launched direct flights from Cairo to Mumbai and Delhi, Hamed emphasised this development as a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations. Notably, EgyptAir is set to increase the frequency of its flights from Cairo to Mumbai and Delhi, aiming for daily operations. Currently, the airline operates four weekly flights from Delhi and five from Mumbai, yet there are some unutilised frequencies.
Hamed shared that during discussions with Indian authorities last year about the Cairo-Delhi flights, there was optimism that these flights would maintain high occupancy rates. “Filling these flights will indeed be a significant achievement, reflecting the potential of one of the world’s largest countries—India,” he added. Notably, the existing flights from Delhi operate from Friday to Monday.
“We remain committed to collaborating with the relevant authorities to address any remaining issues and further enhance our connectivity. Together, we can reach new horizons and foster a thriving exchange of culture and tourism between our nations,” the ambassador affirmed, while speaking during an EgyptAir roadshow in Delhi.
Besides enhancing the India frequencies, EgyptAir is on track to significantly grow its fleet by 2026, adding 28 new aircraft, including the wide-body Airbus A350. EgyptAir’s current fleet also includes six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with two more expected soon.
