EgyptAir has launched a new service into the African continent, extending its network to Lusaka, Zambia, reports Amirah Ibrahim On Sunday an Egyptian delegation led by the airline chairman and CEO Alaa Ashour and his top aids joined the inaugural flight from Cairo to Lusaka. The delegation included the airline commercial director Ashraf Hasan and Zambian Ambassador to Egypt Herbert Simoto. "We decided to start with four flights weekly but we plan to increase operations in the near future," stated Ashour at Lusaka airport. "With the new service to Lusaka, EgyptAir's African network will reach 18 destinations with a total of 102 weekly flights. EgyptAir aspires to cover 46 African destinations through its code share agreements and its mutual cooperation with Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airlines." As the aircraft gears touched down on the runway and taxied to the terminal, two firefighting engines showered the Egyptian plane, a traditional act to welcome a new airline into an airport. Egyptian Ambassador to Zambia Salah El-Sadek welcomed the Egyptian flight, along with Zambian transportation officials and airport officials. "Africa had become a pioneer developing market because of the current investments, economic development and the great commercial prospects on the continent," he stated. At the airside, just a few steps from the airline's A320, African folkloric dancers cheered at the Egyptian traditional dancers who joined the flight. A festival was held on Tuesday where both African and Pharoes challenged each other performing artistic dances. Egypt Air will operate flights into Lusaka via Dar Es-Salaam on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays to Cairo. The airline's ambitious plan focuses on network development and expansion. According to Hussein Massoud, chairman of EgyptAir holding company, the new route would provide opportunities for Egypt and Zambia to promote their economic development and push tourism to greater heights. "When an airline enters a new area, a new country, it means a strong possibility to open new economic horizons, be they industrial, commercial, or tourism. The better such possibilities are exploited, the more efficient the new route will prove to be," Massoud added. Massoud also pointed out the job opportunities created for Zambians who would either be directly employed by the airline or by other subsidiary service providers. "We have much more to dream for Africa. In addition to expanding the network, adding new services and increasing the number of flights, we plan to offer more services in training, technical support, ground services, in-flight services and much more. The fact is that Africa is one of the fastest growing areas in the world regarding air transport activities," Massoud explained. The new Lusaka flights are open for booking on the airline's online web site egyptair.com available in five languages: English, German, Italian, Chinese and Arabic. What are EgyptAir destinations in Africa? - Asmara - Addis Ababa - Nairobi - Dar Es Salam - Entebbe - Khartoum - Tripoli - Benghazi - Algiers - Tunis - Casablanca - Lagos - Kano - Accra - Lusaka - Johannesburg - Joba - Lusaka
