US citizens told 'leave as soon as possible'
Source: Agencies |
January 31, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE United States Embassy in Egypt yesterday recommended that Americans leave Egypt as soon as possible, while other nations urged their nationals to avoid traveling to Cairo after days of protests descended into chaos, with looters roaming the streets and travelers stranded at the airport.
The travel warning came as uncertainty mounted over how the demonstrations will play out. Those questions, coupled with growing lawlessness on the streets, have panicked Egyptians and foreigners alike. Thousands flocked to the airport, frantically trying to secure a dwindling number of available seats.
Others hopped on private jets. Some 45 private jets flew out of the airport early yesterday, carrying a range of Arabs, Westerners and in some cases Egyptian celebrities. Among them was pop star Amr Diab, who was headed to London with his family aboard his private plane.
The US travel warning said the embassy will update Americans about departure assistance as soon as possible. Other nations, including China, France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Finland and Russia have advised against travel to Egypt.
The US has yet to organize any special flights, and the only American carrier with a direct service to Cairo, Delta Airlines, has suspended that service.
Other nations, however, have flown in additional planes to evacuate their citizens after a growing number of commercial flights were either canceled, suspended or delayed because of a curfew that only leaves a few hours in which people can freely move around the city.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan sent in more than 15 planes to transport their nationals out of the country. Royal Jordanian and Bahrain's Gulf Air switched to larger planes.
The travel warning came as uncertainty mounted over how the demonstrations will play out. Those questions, coupled with growing lawlessness on the streets, have panicked Egyptians and foreigners alike. Thousands flocked to the airport, frantically trying to secure a dwindling number of available seats.
Others hopped on private jets. Some 45 private jets flew out of the airport early yesterday, carrying a range of Arabs, Westerners and in some cases Egyptian celebrities. Among them was pop star Amr Diab, who was headed to London with his family aboard his private plane.
The US travel warning said the embassy will update Americans about departure assistance as soon as possible. Other nations, including China, France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Finland and Russia have advised against travel to Egypt.
The US has yet to organize any special flights, and the only American carrier with a direct service to Cairo, Delta Airlines, has suspended that service.
Other nations, however, have flown in additional planes to evacuate their citizens after a growing number of commercial flights were either canceled, suspended or delayed because of a curfew that only leaves a few hours in which people can freely move around the city.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan sent in more than 15 planes to transport their nationals out of the country. Royal Jordanian and Bahrain's Gulf Air switched to larger planes.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
