Egypt dismisses claims of airspace violation; amends flight path

Airline Industry Information, Jan 17, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Israeli claims that Egyptian aircraft enter Israeli airspace at times are exaggerated, according to the Egyptian government.

The government of Egypt has dismissed the claims and the Egyptian aviation minister Ahmed Shafeeq has said that the issue has been exaggerated and taken out of proportion, The Associated Press reported.

Last week Israel warned Egypt of the consequences if Egyptian aircraft heading for Jordan keep entering the country's airspace. Egypt has dismissed the claims that the aircraft deviate from their route and enter Israeli airspace near the port of Eilat. The minister said that the aircraft are usually monitored on radar from take-off to landing and are also equipped with advanced navigational equipment.

Egypt has however investigated the claims and adopted necessary measures, Shafeeq said. The flight route is reportedly 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) from Eilat and Egypt has agreed with Jordan and Saudi Arabia to extend it to 12 kilometres (7.5 miles). No information of when the amended path stepped into force has been disclosed, but the Israeli authorities have been informed about the change, the minister said.

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