BRUSSELS: An aviation think tank warned Tuesday that the unrest in Egypt and other countries could have a profound impact on air travel in the region. The Center for Asia Pacific Aviation said the political instability engulfing Egypt and Tunisia could spread to other states in the Middle East, one of the fastest-growing parts of the world in terms of air travel. A total of 79 carriers serve Egypt, “meaning many airlines will be touched by this crisis,” said a report from the Sydney-based center. Egyptair, which carries accounts for 37 percent of passengers to and from Egypt, will be worst hit as tourism drops and as business travel is cut back. Saudi Arabian Airlines is the next most exposed to the Egyptian market, with a six percent share, followed by Britain's charter carrier Thomson Airways, Russia's Transaero and the low-cost Air Arabia. The Middle East's major aviation hubs, such as Dubai, also could be affected if foreign travelers stay away due to fears over the unrest, the report said. It noted, however, that budget carriers such as Air Arabia, based in the United Arab Emirates, could be the first to profit if the situation stabilizes. “Typically, following a crisis, it has been the low-cost carriers which lead the return to the market, offering very low ... fares and helping maintain the tourist flows,” it said. Thousands of foreigners flocked to Cairo's airport, some scuffling with airline staff while others dug deep into their pockets to pay a final bribe before they would be able to contemplate the chaos engulfing Egypt from the safety of an aircraft's window at 30,000 feet. More than 18,000 passengers frantically converged on Cairo International Airport Tuesday.
