Protests in Cairo and planned trip!
Jan 26, 2011, 3:39 am
#1
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Protests in Cairo and planned trip!
Hi all,
Mrs SgtRyan and I are due to fly to Cairo in a couple of weeks for 4 days. I’ve noticed on the news that there were protests yesterday which got a bit out of hand.
From watching the video on BBC’s website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12283849), and reading the story, I don’t think MrsSgtRyan will want to go now. (I know that might be an over the top comment considering the protests has only gone on for 1 day). If it does carry on, and we want to cancel, would BMI still charge the cancelation fee?
Cheers ^
Mrs SgtRyan and I are due to fly to Cairo in a couple of weeks for 4 days. I’ve noticed on the news that there were protests yesterday which got a bit out of hand.
From watching the video on BBC’s website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12283849), and reading the story, I don’t think MrsSgtRyan will want to go now. (I know that might be an over the top comment considering the protests has only gone on for 1 day). If it does carry on, and we want to cancel, would BMI still charge the cancelation fee?
Cheers ^
Jan 26, 2011, 12:00 pm
#3
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The FCO currently says 'there are no travel restrictions in place in Egypt.' (Correct at time of publishing).
There is a difference between the Egyptian and Tunisian disruption. Tunisia involved people from across their society, young old, male and female, poor and some seemingly more affluent people too; whereas looking at the pictures from Egypt it seems to be just young men. Doesn't seem as sustainable to me, but of course that doesn't mean it's not going to cause you a problem.
I'd be more concerned with the general level of risk in Egypt that has been seen prior to the demonstrations, as demonstrated by the recent explosions.
There is a difference between the Egyptian and Tunisian disruption. Tunisia involved people from across their society, young old, male and female, poor and some seemingly more affluent people too; whereas looking at the pictures from Egypt it seems to be just young men. Doesn't seem as sustainable to me, but of course that doesn't mean it's not going to cause you a problem.
I'd be more concerned with the general level of risk in Egypt that has been seen prior to the demonstrations, as demonstrated by the recent explosions.
Last edited by jbfield; Jan 26, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Jan 26, 2011, 12:16 pm
#4
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From my travels to Cairo...I would say that all women...not just Arab...are treated with less regard by Arab men...than non-Middle East residents would expect. I would not encourage my wife to travel to Egypt in good times.
Jan 26, 2011, 7:03 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2008
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If you believe what you see on the media no-one would have come to London after the student protests! (and I say that as someone with experience working in the media)
I would be quite happy to go to Cairo at the moment.
I would be quite happy to go to Cairo at the moment.
Jan 27, 2011, 2:16 am
#6
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I guess the problem is from talking to various people about the trip, the response has been all negative which has not helped. Then with the protests the other night, that was the final nail in the coffin.
I think we are going to cancel and book up somewhere else. We have over 180,000 miles to burn and have the week off....see what happens or where we end up.
^
Jan 27, 2011, 9:28 am
#7
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Fair point – can’t argue that at all.
I guess the problem is from talking to various people about the trip, the response has been all negative which has not helped. Then with the protests the other night, that was the final nail in the coffin.
I think we are going to cancel and book up somewhere else. We have over 180,000 miles to burn and have the week off....see what happens or where we end up.
^
I guess the problem is from talking to various people about the trip, the response has been all negative which has not helped. Then with the protests the other night, that was the final nail in the coffin.
I think we are going to cancel and book up somewhere else. We have over 180,000 miles to burn and have the week off....see what happens or where we end up.
^
One report I read was that a lot of locals were moaning that the protests resulted in a street closure and so the traffic was worse than usual in the rush hour (that was Cairo, not London in case you were wondering).
To be honest I wasn't that taken with Cairo but the Pyramids are worth seeing, even if they are at "the end of the high street" (which you rarely see in the pictures!)
Jan 28, 2011, 3:01 am
#8
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Obviously that is your choice. But then I have heard people complain about London - "expensive hotels, rip off prices for tourist attractions, gangs of hoodies ready to mug you". Add in the recent student protests and you would think it was a war zone.
One report I read was that a lot of locals were moaning that the protests resulted in a street closure and so the traffic was worse than usual in the rush hour (that was Cairo, not London in case you were wondering).
To be honest I wasn't that taken with Cairo but the Pyramids are worth seeing, even if they are at "the end of the high street" (which you rarely see in the pictures!)
One report I read was that a lot of locals were moaning that the protests resulted in a street closure and so the traffic was worse than usual in the rush hour (that was Cairo, not London in case you were wondering).
To be honest I wasn't that taken with Cairo but the Pyramids are worth seeing, even if they are at "the end of the high street" (which you rarely see in the pictures!)
Im keeping an eye on the current situation, it appears that there are more protests planned for today
Jan 28, 2011, 6:06 am
#9
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I liked Cairo...mainly exactly because it was utterly nuts. And yes, there is a KFC next to the Sphinx but hey, it is still a fascinating place.
As for the riots.....if I had booked, I would still go for sure as long as the FCO said it was ok. If I hadn't, then I probably wouldn't for now.
Really did like Egypt in general though.
As for the riots.....if I had booked, I would still go for sure as long as the FCO said it was ok. If I hadn't, then I probably wouldn't for now.
Really did like Egypt in general though.
Jan 28, 2011, 10:03 am
#10
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The Akhbar al-Arab website said Gamal Mubarak, his wife and daughter were on board a plane which departed from a western Cairo airport bound for London on Tuesday.
Jan 28, 2011, 11:28 am
#13
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Originally Posted by flybmi.com
Protests in Cairo 28 Jan 2011
The current protests in Cairo are not currently affecting bmi flights into Cairo as the Airport remains open.
Arriving passengers should be aware that there is a curfew in Cairo from 6pm to 7am local Cairo time.
We are currently reviewing our services that are due to depart tomorrow, 29th January 2011, and recommend you check Flight Status on flybmi.com before leaving for the airport.
The current protests in Cairo are not currently affecting bmi flights into Cairo as the Airport remains open.
Arriving passengers should be aware that there is a curfew in Cairo from 6pm to 7am local Cairo time.
We are currently reviewing our services that are due to depart tomorrow, 29th January 2011, and recommend you check Flight Status on flybmi.com before leaving for the airport.
Jan 28, 2011, 12:11 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,900
870 wounded and 5 dead ,Kuwait Airways have suspended flights. Mobile phone operators have been told to restrict networks. Tourists have been told to stay inside hotels until further notice. Fires burning all over the city. US government advises against all but essential travel to Egypt. BA flights suspended and Egypt Air have suspended all flights for 12 hours. State TV has been stormed.
Certainly not a place I want to be in.
Certainly not a place I want to be in.
Jan 28, 2011, 2:09 pm
#15
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Fair point – can’t argue that at all.
I guess the problem is from talking to various people about the trip, the response has been all negative which has not helped. Then with the protests the other night, that was the final nail in the coffin.
I think we are going to cancel and book up somewhere else. We have over 180,000 miles to burn and have the week off....see what happens or where we end up.
^
I guess the problem is from talking to various people about the trip, the response has been all negative which has not helped. Then with the protests the other night, that was the final nail in the coffin.
I think we are going to cancel and book up somewhere else. We have over 180,000 miles to burn and have the week off....see what happens or where we end up.
^