Egypt, Iran resume flights after 30 years

  1. Posted on Monday 4 October 2010 - 11:13
    KingsleyKobo
    Image of KingsleyKobo
    Kingsley Kobo, AfricaNews reporter in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
    Egypt and Iran have agreed to resume direct flights between their capitals after 30 years of cold war diplomacy.
    Egypt, Iran resume direct flights after 30 years
    A memorandum of understanding was signed over the weekend in the Egyptian capital Cairo between civil aviation and tourism authorities from both countries, under the supervision of Egypt's minister of civil aviation Ahmed Shafiq and Iranian vice president and tourism chief Hamid Baghai, AFP said on Sunday.


    “This accord will replace the one signed between both countries in 1976 and is in line with the developments in air transport,” Sameh Hefni, head of Egypt’s civil aviation authority told reporters.

    There will be 28 flights between Cairo and Tehran per week, according to the new accord, but no date of resumption was specified.

    Diplomatic relations between both countries soured in 1980 following the Islamic revolution in Iran and Egypt’s recognition of Israel.

    But this new deal baffles observers since the two countries continue to back opposing political camps in Iraq, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, lack full diplomatic ties and keep sniping at each other.

    However, Iran’s news agency FARS, says the agreement is “a prelude to the resumption of ties between the two countries.”

Reactions

  1. Posted on Friday 18 November 2011 07:18
    MathieuBCN
    Image of MathieuBCN


    8 berichten
    Lid sinds November 2011

    Thanks for the article. The news that Iran and Egypt have planes flying in their areas could give some people a shock. At least there are planes existing that could bring in business and tourists to check out Iran and Egypt. Money can also flow into Iran and Egypt quickly. Barcelona apartments can be checked out..

    Mathieu - Barcelona Apartments
  2. Posted on Tuesday 20 December 2011 10:23
    RichardGreaves
    Image of RichardGreaves

    Richard Greaves
    13 berichten
    Lid sinds December 2011
    Sydney

    Though there might be misunderstandings between the two countries for a long time, it shouldn't mean that everyone in both countries are against each other. Opening the flights would allow for economic cooperation and a deeper understand between each other. It could pave the way for friendlier relations, and that could only be a good thing.
    Richard Greaves

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