Egypt's airline sector lost $170m in unrest
National carrier EgyptAir hit hardest by tourist exodus
AP , Tuesday 15 Mar 2011
Egypt's civil aviation minister says the country's airline industry has lost more than 1 billion Egyptian pounds (US$170 million) as a result of the unrest that led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
Ibrahim Manaa told reporters Tuesday that over 60 per cent of the losses were from to national carrier, EgyptAir, while the remainder came in losses at the country's various airports.
More than 150,000 foreign tourists fled the country during the 18-day uprising that began on 25 January.
EgyptAir was hard hit, canceling at as many as 75 per cent of its flights and most recently offering to lease some of its newest planes, along with crew, to offset projected losses.
