Minister of Civil Aviation Abdel Aziz Fadel said the number of flights running between Egypt and Qatar will be reduced from 21 to 16 flights a week starting Friday.
In statements to the press on Sunday, Fadel said the decision to cut flights has nothing to do with political relations between the two countries. It only serves EgyptAir's economy of operation better, he explained.
"We are keen on maintaining relations with Qatar. The increase in flights from 16 to 21 a week in May came after ousted President Mohamed Morsy pressured the Aviation Ministry to sign an agreement to increase [flights]. We will return to the normal operation on Friday, which better serves our interests."
He added that Qatari authorities asked Egypt to sign an agreement to increase flights or to keep the current number of flights, however, Egypt has declined the request since it is not in the interest of Egypt to increase flights. Egypt declined a similar request by Turkey to increase flights to 42 a week instead of 21.
Edited translation from DPA
