Cairo International Airport air traffic controllers announced they would suspend a strike they scheduled for Thursday to protest, following a meeting with a Supreme Council of the Armed Forces member. Air traffic controllers had threatened to strike Thursday from 4 pm to 7 pm in response to the Civil Aviation Ministry's reported intent to reduce their salaries after hiring a new batch of traffic control officers with higher salaries. Former President of the Association of Air Traffic Controllers Magdy Abdel Hady said the decision to suspend the strike was based on the military council's assurance that it would suspend the aviation minister's decision to appoint the new batch of traffic controllers. Abdel Hady explained that the controllers reached the agreement after a meeting with SCAF member Major General Reda Hafez, during which they explained that they are not seeking promotions or raises, but want to achieve stability in the sector. The airport would experience a number of problems and strikes if the new air traffic control officers were appointed with higher salaries, he said. In related news, in-flight crew members continued their protest for a fifth consecutive day, threatening to strike if an investigation into EgyptAir's alleged financial and administrative violations is not carried out. Minister of Civil Aviation Ibrahim Manna said the periodic protests organized by EgyptAir workers were unpatriotic, especially in light of the company's losses of LE1 billion, in addition to loans it has taken to finance a number of new planes. Translated from the Arabic Edition
