(AFP/File, Mohammed Ameen)
A source within the holding company Egypt Air stated that the airline would begin direct flights from Cairo to Toronto starting 1 January, 2013, using Boeing 777 jets.
He added in an interview with Al-Boursa that the direct flights from Toronto to Cairo are to encourage tourism between Egypt and North America and open up a new market in Canada.
The source added that prior to the announcement of new direct flights from Cairo, passengers would have to transfer in Frankfurt, Germany, and continue onto Toronto via connecting airlines.
According to statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism, the number of travelers reaching Egypt from Canada increased 3.5% from the period between January and October 2012, compared to the same period in 2011, from 41,000 to 42,600.
It should be noted that Egypt Air had planned to open up direct flights from Cairo to Toronto in 2011, but was forced to delay that decision because of the events of the 25 January Revolution.
