Kidnappings don’t affect Egypt air travel, says official

Air traffic to Egypt did not suffer due to the last few kidnapping incidents in the Sinai peninsula, according to the Egyptian Company for Airports.

Gad al-Kareem Nassr, head of ECA said Monday that the country’s large airports were not affected by the news and are functining “well,” especially Hurghada and Sharm al-Sheikh airports, the state-run MENA news agency reported.

Nassr said the traffic rating in Egyptian airports is witnessing a “40 percent increase compared with the same time last year and a mere 25 percent decrees compared to the same period in 2010.”

He added that the Sharm al-Sheikh airport received 60 aircraft from different parts of the world carrying tourists with 120 take off and landings. As for Hurghada airport, it saw 70 air planes with 140 take offs and landings.

Three Korean tourists and their Egyptian tour guide were kidnapped over the weekend and released after two days when officials intervened to free them.

They were unharmed and in good condition and were escorted back to the hotel, being welcomed by the governor of South Sinai and the ambassador of South Korea.

Two American tourists were also taken briefly the week before, but said they were also treated well and released without injury.