Amb.: Ukraine to operate charter flights to Cairo

CAIRO - 24 August 2017: An Ukrainian company plans to operate charter flights to Cairo as of September 7, said Ukrainian Ambassador in Cairo Hennadii Latii.

Speaking at a press conference at the Ukrainian embassy on Thursday, amb. Latii said that Ukrainian Airlines International (MAO) will run direct flights between Cairo and Kiev in spring 2018.

Last year, 450,000 Ukrainian tourists visited Egypt, he added.

Before, Ukraine operated 25-30 weekly flights from Ukrainian cities to Sharm el Sheikh and 30 weekly flights to Hurghada, the diplomat said.

From January till August, nearly 600,000 tourists from Ukraine and other countries; Belarus and Estonia, traveled to Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada, he noted.

There is no competition between Ukrainian and Russian companies in case Russia decides to resume flights to Cairo, he said, noting that there are no direct flights between Kiev and Moscow.

Egypt and Ukraine, as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, are working together under the umbrella of the international body, he said, asserting his country's support for all proposals presented by Egypt to fight terrorism and extremism inside and outside the country.

Ukraine seeks to strengthen ties with European countries to win a membership of the European Union and NATO, the diplomat said.

Ukraine also seeks to promote relations with partner countries, particularly Egypt, he said, noting that his country obtained observer status in the African Union.

He added that his country seeks to obtain an observer status in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), underlining that there are nearly 600,000 Ukrainian Muslims in the country.