EgyptAir to increase international flights by August 1
Egypt earlier opened its borders to tourists on July 1
Updated 23 July 2020
Arab News
DUBAI: National carrier EgyptAir is to increase the number of international flights to 35 as of Aug. 1, as countries gradually reopen borders after the coronavirus lockdown.
The company’s chairman Roshy Zakaria said the carrier will operate regular flights to several international destinations including to 17 cities in Europe and 14 in the Middle East and Africa region, as reported by national daily Egypt Today.
The airline added it will continue its flights to Washington, New York and Toronto, as well as China’s Guangzhou city.
Egypt earlier opened its borders to tourists on July 1, specifically allowing visitors to seaside resorts working at limited capacity.
Smugglers' boat collides with rocks as it attempted to flee pursuing as Coast Guard vessels
The boat was about to illegally transport passengers from the Syrian coast of Tartus coast to Cyprus
Updated 08 February 2026
Arab News
DAMASCUS: Syrian Coast Guard forces have arrested members of a human smuggling network operating in the western town of Tartus, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Saturday.
Authorities pounced on the smugglers as they were about to transport passengers from the Tartus coast to Cyprus by illegal means, the state media said, citing a statement from the General Authority of Ports and Customs.
"The operation resulted in the arrest of all those involved, including the organizers of the trip," said the report, adding that the smugglers' boat attempted to escape as Coast Guard vessels surrounded it, but collided with rocks.
No details were made available on how many suspects were arrested and how many passengers were rescued. Criminal charges are being prepared against the arrested suspects, SANA said.
Headquarters of the Syrian General Authority of Ports and Customs in Damascus. (SANA photo)
New restrictions on commercial transit
In a separate move to regulate trade and border security, the ports and customs authority has issued a new policy restricting truck access at land crossings and seaports.
Commercial trucks will now only be permitted entry for loading or unloading upon presentation of an original receipt from the Ministry of Transport’s freight office.
The transfer of cargo between Syrian and non-Syrian vehicles must now take place strictly within designated customs yards at border crossings.
Trucks passing through Syria in transit remain permitted, provided they are under a mandatory customs escort between entry and exit points.
