As part of its strategy to attract more tourists from India, Egyptian authorities are planning to raise the number of flights between the two
countries by the end of this year.
At present, there are three flights between Egypt and India and the plan is to increase it to seven each week.
"We are planning to start operations of the rest of the four flights. Though we hope to start all the four, at least Delhi to Cairo, we expect to start this year," Egyptian Ambassador to India Mohamed Higazy said here.
He said the country expects to almost double the number of Indian tourists visiting Egypt to around 1.5 lakhs by the end of this year.
As part of its plan for more tourists, it is looking at adding flights, including from Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
At present, only Egypt Air is operating flights between the two countries, flying thrice a week from Mumbai. Higazy said discussions are on with private airlines like Jet Airways, Kingfisher and Air India for the service.
"India is our top agenda and as we try to build cultural ties between the two nations, we expect more Indians to visit Egypt. Our aim is to double the number to around 1.5 lakhs by this year," he said.