Egypt extends stay of stranded Ukrainian, Russian tourists
Ukrainian tourists stuck in Egypt talk to Al-Monitor about the pain they feel to watch their loved ones and families suffering back home as a result of the Russian war.
The Egyptian government announced in a statement March 5 that Egyptian flag carriers EgyptAir and Air Cairo are transporting Ukrainian tourists to countries neighboring Ukraine at the expense of the Egyptian government. The statement said about 4,000 Ukrainian tourists have left Egypt so far.
In its statement, the government also reiterated its support for Ukrainian tourists stranded on its territory by bearing the cost of their extended stay in Egyptian hotels.
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper quoted March 3 officials at the Ukrainian Embassy in Cairo saying there are around 20,000 Ukrainian tourists currently stranded in Egypt. The official stressed that arrangements are underway to help them leave Egyptian resorts to neighboring European countries.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities had decided Feb. 24 to extend the stay and bear the cost of Ukrainian tourists stranded in Egypt amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war until their departure is arranged.
