Egypt - Evacuation of Foreigners

Several foreign governments are arranging charter flights to evacuate their citizens stranded in Cairo due to the civil unrest.

Littleton, CO, February 03 , 2011 -- Countries to announce special flights to rescue their citizens include Australia, Canada, Israel, Thailand, Turkey, and USA. Other foreign nationals are urged to contact their embassies to find out details of planned evacuations.

Evacuation Plans
Australia: full details of the Australian evacuation are on the DFAT website. A QANTAS plane is due to leave Cairo on Wednesday February 2nd to fly to either London or Frankfurt. Consular staff will be on hand at Cairo to assist their citizens. Other flights may be arranged if the need arises. Australians in Egypt should call the Consular Emergency Centre on +61 6261 3305.

USA: Details of the US plan are on the State Department website. Americans may be flown to either Athens, Istanbul or Nicosia where they will be met by consular staff who will help arrange emergency accommodation and onward travel.

Thailand: Special arrangements are being made to send a Thai Airways plane to Cairo, but because Thai doesn't have a regular service to Egypt it will require special arrangements (ground support, check-in assistance, and airspace clearance). The Thai government says if its own airline cannot get the required clearances other arrangements will be made.

Turkey: The Turkish government sent aircraft to Cairo on Sunday to begin evacuations.

Israel: Israeli charter planes left Cairo on Monday.

UK: The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office is urging its citizens to leave 'by commercial means' but has not yet formally organised an evacuation. The FCO says almost all of the 20,000 Brits in Egypt are at Red Sea resorts, which have not been the scene of any demonstrations.

Flight Changes
An American Airlines spokesman has announced the airline will allow customers with tickets to or from Cairo between January 28 and 31, to change their fights at no charge. It's understood British Airways has made the same offer.

America's Delta Airlines suspened flights to Cairo indefinitely after Saturday.

Emirates and Etihad will continue to fly as scheduled.

Cairo airport is open, but operating far from normally. Reports say there is no schedule of departures, with planes leaving as soon as they are ready and have been cleared by air traffic controllers. There are long delays at the airport, with fears the situation will become chaotic soon.

Curfew Extended
A government curfew across Egypt has been extended and people are now prohibited from being on the streets from 4pm to 8am daily. Foreign nationals are warned they are subject to the curfew and could be detained, or arrested. With widespread looting and vigilante-style neighbourhood security, it is extremely unwise to defy the curfew.

It is still permissible to make your way to the airport during daylight hours between 8am and 4pm, but do so only if it is safe to proceed.

Related articles:

Egypt - Do Not Travel Alert

Egypt Protests - Keep Informed

About WorldNomads.com
WorldNomads.com keeps our members travelling safely by offering a range of travel services such as Travel Insurance to residents from over 140 countries, the latest travel safety advice, free travel blogs and language guides for your iPhone/ Ipods.?? We also offer a range of exciting travel scholarships. Whether you’re heading off for a long weekend, seeking the ultimate adventure or travelling around the world, we’re there with you, helping to keep you safe, covered and getting the most from your travel experience. Contact Alexia@lassocommunications.com

Contact:
Alexia Nestora
WorldNomads.com
27 Long Spur
Littleton, CO 80127
1.303.898.3376
alexia@lassocommunications.com
http://www.WorldNomads.com