Ambassador Scobey Inaugurates Delta Airlines Cairo-New York Connection
السفيرة مارجريت سكوبي تشارك في مراسم قص الشريط الخاصة بإطلاق الخط الجوي المباشر الجديد لشركة دلتا إيرلاينز بين القاهرة ونيويورك

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June 5, 2008

Ambassador Scobey participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony that inaugurated Delta Airlines’ new non-stop flight between Cairo and New York

Today, U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Margaret Scobey participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony that inaugurated Delta Airlines’ new non-stop flight between Cairo and New York. At the event the Ambassador said:

“Good morning. It’s really an honor to be here at this very happy occasion and to see all the travelers preparing to depart for a visit to the United States and I understand that a plane arriving from the United States has also brought well over 200 visitors to Egypt. So I think this is a very auspicious beginning to this round trip arrangement. I don’t think he is with us today, but I do want to thank very much the Minister of Civil Aviation General Ahmed Shafik for his leadership and certainly General Fatallah for his leadership and for his hospitality and welcoming to the return of Delta Airlines to this market. I’d like to thank Pierre Spain and Karim Nabhan of Delta Airlines for inviting me to participate in this ceremony today. It is really wonderful to see an addition to the non-stop market between the United States and Egypt. The Delta Airlines nonstop flight from Cairo to New York will create jobs in Egypt and in the United States, it will promote tourism and help the private sector do business. It will offer Americans in 40 different cities, including my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, an easy connection to come to see the wonders of Egypt and to help build both ties of friendship between Americans and Egyptians and business as well. It’s a real milestone, I think, in the dynamic and growing US-Egyptian economic partnership.

The economic benefits of the new air connection promise gains for both Egypt and the United States as tourists and businesspeople take advantage of this convenient route. As many of you know, trade and tourism between Egypt and the United States are growing very fast. Bilateral trade has doubled since 2003, reaching a record $7.7 billion in 2007. As I said, Delta will create 40 new jobs in Egypt to support this new business and anticipates 40,000 passengers a year plus additional freight and cargo services. The arrival of Delta to a very long list of carriers serving Egypt reflects the positive trends in tourism to Egypt that rose 20% in 2007, including more than 270,000 U.S. visitors. This new route will contribute significantly to this positive trend. For American travelers, this service provides additional options and creates a network of flights connecting U.S. cities outside the New York area directly to Cairo. It is going to offer a very convenient way to encourage more Americans to travel and visit Egypt. It’s another demonstration of American private sector investment in Egypt and recognition that Egypt’s economy is growing at a very robust rate. I consider it a privilege to participate in this event, and I look forward to the increased economic and cultural ties that additional direct flights will forge between Egyptians and Americans. Thank you very much.”
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