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First direct Cairo-Tehran flight in 34 years departs Cairo Int''l Airport

CAIRO, March 30 (KUNA) -- The first direct flight between Cairo and Tehran left Cairo International Airport on Saturday for the first time in 34 years, beginning a launch of air route between Egypt and Iran through one of Egypt's private airlines.
The "Air Memphis" aircraft went on the first flight between Egypt and Iran, with eight Iranian passengers on board, including two diplomats, official sources at Cairo International Airport said.
Air Memphis, which is owned by an Egyptian businessman, did not announce the return of the plane from Tehran, the official sources added.
They noted that it is likely that the company organizes flights between Iranian cities and regional airports in southern Egypt, according to an agreement made during the Egyptian Minister of Tourism Hisham Zaazou's recent visit to Tehran.
Iranians' entry instructions require visas and security approval obtained from the Egypt's security apparatus, the sources noted.
Air Memphis owns two MD aircrafts, in addition to an Airbus A320 aircraft the company is seeking to rent from EgyptAir.
"The company's charter flights will not work on specific dates or a weekly schedule as this specific aircraft was leased from EgyptAir Express under the name of "special flight," an official source said.
The head of the Civil Aviation Administration, Mohammed Sherif confirmed that the Iranian passengers arriving from Tehran will not be entering Egypt through Memphis Air's flights to Cairo as these flights will land in transit to refuel and depart immediately to Aswan, south of the country. (end) asm.ba KUNA 301344 Mar 13NNNN