Terminals at Cairo International Airport were exceptionally crowded on Thursday, reportedly due to air-traffic congestion. Several planes reportedly took off much later than scheduled as a result. Consequently, a number of Cairo-bound planes were unable to land on time, causing the airport's terminals to fill with people awaiting arrivals. According to one airport official, no takeoffs or landings were authorised before 9:35am on Thursday morning. The first plane to receive clearance for takeoff headed to the Omani capital of Muscat.