Last week I shared my take on how I consider Cairo to have the worst major international airport in the world. That’s just my opinion, based on having traveled through the airport a countless number of times over the years.
For that matter, I hardly view that as being such a controversial take. Which airport with 20+ million passengers annually is worse? Do some people think Cairo should be ranked as one of the world’s best airports?
Well, I think my days of visiting Cairo Airport may be over, because the country’s government is accusing me of lying, and is threatening me for spreading false information.
Admittedly I know my job comes with some risks, but I’ve gotta say, in my nearly 17 years of blogging, this is perhaps the most bizarre response I’ve ever seen from a government to any negative story I’ve written. So unless you think Cairo Airport is the finest in the world, make sure you keep it to yourself! I know Egypt isn’t necessarily the most pro-free speech place on earth, but I wasn’t expecting a Pyongyang-esque response.
In this post:
My criticism of Cairo Airport went viral in Egypt
Over the past few days, several readers have told me that my criticism of Cairo Airport is going viral in Egypt. I didn’t think much of it, but then yesterday I saw the below clip, where I guess my story was covered during a major news program, hosted by broadcaster Amr Adeeb.
If I’m understanding what he’s saying correctly, a blogger (me) made a report about Cairo Airport, which he calls “a very dramatic report” and “an awful report.” He then goes on to basically acknowledge that Cairo isn’t the best or biggest airport in the world, and that it has problems, that the airport’s capacity isn’t enough for the demand. He also questions my expertise or credentials to judge an airport. Sorry, but:
- What credentials does he think you need to be able to share your opinion on an airport online?
- I think I have sufficient firsthand knowledge with airports to chime in on passenger experience
Egypt’s Minister of Aviation attacks me
It’s not just that the news in Egypt has picked up on this, but Egypt’s Minister of Aviation has even gotten involved. He has called my claims baseless, and has said that the country will “take all necessary legal action against those who attempt to harm the credibility and reputation of the civil aviation sector through unfounded allegations.”
Here’s the wildest part of all — the government believes that the purpose of my trip to Egypt was not for “tourism or any official purpose,” but rather was “aimed at undermining Cairo Airport.” I’ve also seen some people suggest that I’m on the payroll of a foreign airport management company, and that I was trying to ruin the airport’s reputation to get a new contract for them?
Right, and I’m the one making up baseless claims? As any OMAAT reader knows, I was in Cairo for one simple reason — the airport has among the most reasonable premium airfare in the world, so I often position myself there (well, past tense at this point).
My experience at Cairo Airport is taking on a life of its own. A story written in the Al-Marsad newspaper in Egypt makes the following claims (I’m using Google Translate, so I’m not sure if that was the intent or not, but I’ll view “the worst in the world blogger” title as a badge of honor):
A foreign blogger angered the Egyptians, after he posted a video in which he said that he was subjected to ill-treatment at Cairo Airport, and that he was forced to wait hours until his procedures were completed.
The worst in the world Blogger Ben Schlappig claimed that Cairo Airport is “the worst in the world,” accusing the employees of aggression. He wrote in his popular travel blog, “ONE MILE AT A TIME,” that he had a bad experience in Cairo.
Unfounded, the Egyptian Minister of Aviation, Sameh Hefny, responded to these allegations, saying that they were completely baseless.
He explained in an intervention on the “Al-Hekaya” program on MBC Misr that the ministry will publish, today, Sunday, a video supported by facts to respond to these false rumours.
He also revealed that the blogger who attacked the airport used fabricated videos, stressing that he did not deal with any of the workers, and stood filming the crowd for half an hour, knowing that he left the airport in only 18 minutes, according to what surveillance cameras showed. In addition, it was considered that there are attempts to target Cairo Airport and distort its image.
Yes, indeed, Egypt’s Ministry of Aviation has published a video of me at the airport “supported by facts,” which I’ll address in a different post. But I honestly have no clue what the government is talking about with that last paragraph:
- I used fabricated videos? Huh? I don’t take videos, and certainly didn’t share any in my post about the airport
- I stood filming the crowd at the airport for half an hour? Again, huh? I don’t take videos, and certainly didn’t stand anywhere for 30 minutes filming anything
- The story also references how I claim I “was forced to wait hours” at the airport, only I never made that claim? Funny enough, I rate Cairo Airport so low despite the fact that I don’t find the lines to be very long, which should tell you something 😉
Anyway, the government did a bizarre and creepy level of tracking of me at Cairo Airport, including publishing videos of me at the airport, which the government claims prove that I’m lying… only they don’t? Like I said, I’ll be addressing that in detail in a separate post.
Ultimately I’m the one who will lose out here in terms of no longer having access to some cheap premium airfare out of Cairo, but I’ll be fine, and if anything, they’re doing me a favor. That being said, the Egyptian government really is digging itself a hole here:
- Egypt is continuing to try to grow its tourism industry, so threatening foreign travelers for simply sharing a negative opinion of the airport online doesn’t exactly instill confidence in the country
- Rather than accepting constructive feedback or even ignoring it, the government is instead amplifying this negative feedback, and making up untrue claims about me
- It’s clear the government has no interest in improving the airport, since it’s claiming that everything that I (and many others) say is untrue; according to the government, everyone is friendly, no one asks for tips, and everything is totally orderly, and if you disagree, you must be there specifically to sabotage the airport
- Does the government not have anything better to do…?
Bottom line
I guess my days of frequent travel through Cairo Airport are over, as the country isn’t happy with my criticism of the airport. I just shared my take on why Cairo has the worst major airport in the world based on my many visits over the years, but apparently that means that I’m just making stuff up.
Standby for part two, because this gets even wilder, with the government making some really strange accusations against me. Like I said, I’ve been doing this for nearly 17 years, and this is no doubt one of my wildest situations, and gives the Aegon Mykonos saga a run for its money.
What do you make of the response of Egypt’s government?
Only been there twice, back in days bribes were common. But yep I'd cross CAI off for the next couple years at least; hassle of trying to get embassy to get you out of jail would take months.
"We're a nearly four-star airport" - Translation: "We're a three-star airport!"
"The airport is non-smoking, and we post signs forbidding tips." - This is like saying a society has no rapes and murders, because those things are illegal.
Just changed my trip to not fly through Cairo and with EgyptAir. I didn't wanna fly with them/thru Cairo anyway based on the hour stories out there, but now with all of this, I definitely do not want fly thru there. Now flying thru Venice with Lufthansa. Phew.
Shall we just call you Josh Cahill?
For that you have to create a video and "promote" Sam Chui's videos
Maybe Cairo needs a Sam Chui video to show how great it is?
So, I guess that you are going to have to move out of Miami and avoid Fort Lauderdale due to your recent postings about their airports.
You have to remember you're in a very different country with a very different culture. I certainly don't agree with the culture but if I go to such a country I need to understand and abide by that culture. Why I have zero desire to visit the ME other than maybe Dubai.
I don’t think Cairo airport is that bad compared to Delhi Airport.
Cairo is also the worst airport I have ever been to -- from the very start where people ask for tips for putting your bags on the security scanners, it only gets worse from there. While Egypt has a lot to offer and my brief visit there barely scratched the surface, I would be very hesitant to go back.
The defensiveness/denial with which the government approached this post also reminds me a lot of how...
Cairo is also the worst airport I have ever been to -- from the very start where people ask for tips for putting your bags on the security scanners, it only gets worse from there. While Egypt has a lot to offer and my brief visit there barely scratched the surface, I would be very hesitant to go back.
The defensiveness/denial with which the government approached this post also reminds me a lot of how they respond to aviation disasters involving Egyptian pilots. Letting national pride get in the way of the truth has real consequences for aviation safety.
This is beyond amazing. It's not like this blog is The New York Times. Does the Egyptian government just casually read frequent flyer blogs? I wonder if someone internally in Egypt found the article and was using it to criticize the government. That would explain the response.
This is the same country whose aviation authority still spreads false information about one of their pilots murdering an entire plane of pax (see: EgyptAir 990).
Having been in the Cairo Airport almost yearly for decades - it HAS GREATLY IMPROVED from the filth , corruption of having to pay bribes to just enter the country. Egypt is not a country where even the slightest negative comment is allowed regarding any public authority. The political turf battles are a struggle for every authority. I do strongly suggest you never ever land again in Egypt.
Egypt is on that sad list of countries with massive potential but which may never really amount to anything because of the combination of shockingly poor governance and lack of education amongst the general populace to challenge it (other notables include South Africa, Brazil and Pakistan). This was partially masked by rising commodity prices in the past, but now that’s over and stagnation beckons all of them will probably become increasingly authoritarian. Sad, but it’s...
Egypt is on that sad list of countries with massive potential but which may never really amount to anything because of the combination of shockingly poor governance and lack of education amongst the general populace to challenge it (other notables include South Africa, Brazil and Pakistan). This was partially masked by rising commodity prices in the past, but now that’s over and stagnation beckons all of them will probably become increasingly authoritarian. Sad, but it’s not like there aren’t plenty of other places to visit.
I have been in CAI a few times. Yes, arriving at 1:30 am on a Star Alliance flight and connecting to the first BA flight in the morning from another terminal without entering the country is a very tiring experience. However, this would be impossible in the USA. Also, how many people do just that?
On another tip we did exit the airport by getting visa on arrival and then left a few days...
I have been in CAI a few times. Yes, arriving at 1:30 am on a Star Alliance flight and connecting to the first BA flight in the morning from another terminal without entering the country is a very tiring experience. However, this would be impossible in the USA. Also, how many people do just that?
On another tip we did exit the airport by getting visa on arrival and then left a few days later on the same BA morning flight after staying in the airport Le Meridien. I do not recall any lines and any problems.
Bottom line, there are certainly worse airports in the world and especially in Africa. While the lounge One World is using in CAI is nothing to rave about, it certainly shines vs. one used by Qatar in ZNZ!
Sorry you have to deal with this, Ben, just for doing your job (very well, I might add)
Went through CAI several years ago and I agree with you- it is a less than good airport. Too bad the authorities can’t accept that.
I really don't get it. How ignorant and petty can these Egyptian officials be? Have they never heard anyone say CAI is not good? Have they never heard anyone criticize any airport (EWR, anyone?)? If they think Lucky is a nobody, then why bother responding to his opinion? If they know Lucky has a following, wouldn't they realize people will believe Lucky more than Egyptian officials' senseless attacks on him? The whole thing is utter stupidity.
Middle east. And this is just an airport review. Now imagine what Israel has to deal with with all the lies Arab and Muslim countries spew out
@Alexis
Lies, you mean the truths?
Because all of you Zionist libs seem to classify every truths on the world as a lie.
Israel would have to deal with way less threats at least if they didn't promote their genocide as a justice.
Creating the problem and blaming it all on their enemies. And the braindead First World takes it directly.
Man I wish I was an Israeli so whatever I do...
@Alexis
Lies, you mean the truths?
Because all of you Zionist libs seem to classify every truths on the world as a lie.
Israel would have to deal with way less threats at least if they didn't promote their genocide as a justice.
Creating the problem and blaming it all on their enemies. And the braindead First World takes it directly.
Man I wish I was an Israeli so whatever I do is always justified.
What, am I being anti-Semite for telling you this?
Not sorry at all. Try to be less sensitive, the world isn't as childish as AeroB13a, the pedophile poop freak BA apologist Apple and Airbus fanboy.
Amen to that Mason. If Assreal didn’t still people’s land and ethnically cleanse people then nobody would hate them
Way to deflect, Alexis. And none of it is lies.
I have visited Cairo a few times and think you were being nice. I have been asked for a bribe by the person screening my bag. Worst airport and worst airline goes to Egypt air
That one whinging dude from LoyaltyLobby had something similar happen to him a couple years ago at DPS.
If I were Ben, I'd definitely stay clear of Egypt from now on. And he's right, Cairo airport is absolute rubbish. Even the EgyptAir lounge last time I was there in January was horrific.
And if memory serves me right, rather than defending that case Ben took every opportunity to gloat, lapping up every word of those lies given by the Balinese authorities. Wonder how it feels for him to be on the other end of the line. But as expected he's playing the victim card again. Not saying that he's wrong as CAI is a dump, but it shows that karma sometimes comes swinging back in life.
And if memory serves me right, Balinese authority wasn't lying.
Bali had issues and they admitted it. It just wasn't as bad a what a blogger claimed.
The only person that was "allegedly lying" was the "allegedly real person" who told a blogger that he was waiting for hours.
Speaking of karma, this and Bali reminds me of The boy who cried wolf.
Only that it more like a blogger cried not...
And if memory serves me right, Balinese authority wasn't lying.
Bali had issues and they admitted it. It just wasn't as bad a what a blogger claimed.
The only person that was "allegedly lying" was the "allegedly real person" who told a blogger that he was waiting for hours.
Speaking of karma, this and Bali reminds me of The boy who cried wolf.
Only that it more like a blogger cried not hot water and get $100, cried construction and get $12, cried dirty lounge and get 5000 miles, cried AC was at 20C not 18 he requested no room upgrade and get 5000WOH, and lound wind noise in room for 15000 Bonvoy, a broken seat that can still manually recline and get $140.
That's a sample from about a year ago. There's even more from last year.
Sucks to be a travel blogger. Seems everything is broken or wrong all the time.
Of course the boy only tells about when he cried wolf. He would never share stories of when the wolf bites back. (And they do, shared by the wolf itself) Careful.
As an Italian I am already avoiding Egypt since 2016, when Giulio Regeni was tortured and murdered by the Egyptian police and everything was covered up by their government.
The travel bloggers have always been smart at rationalizing going to places they shouldn’t visit and flying state airlines they shouldn’t fly for the sake of ‘reporting’. Good on Ben for calling spades spades vis a vis this airport.
Sonny (Best Ever Food Review, YouTuber) didn't have a good experience with Egyptian authorities too, even though he submitted and was approved to shoot his videos by one of the ministries before arriving. He's been to many different countries now and has stated that he would never go back to Egypt because of that experience.
A couple of things.
First, Ben, really sorry about this. However you slice it, no one wants to be PNG in a country with decent premium fares!
Second, there's a bit of hyperbole in some of the comments that needs to be addressed. If you were to transit CAI again -- that that you would -- you would not be detained or mistreates. You're not Egyptian and carry US and EU passports. It's one...
A couple of things.
First, Ben, really sorry about this. However you slice it, no one wants to be PNG in a country with decent premium fares!
Second, there's a bit of hyperbole in some of the comments that needs to be addressed. If you were to transit CAI again -- that that you would -- you would not be detained or mistreates. You're not Egyptian and carry US and EU passports. It's one thing to be pissed off at you and another entirely to take actions that would cause a serious diplomatic incident. Egyptians can be dumb but they're not stupid. Same for travel elsewhere in the Arab world. There is *zero* chance the Egyptian government would ask much less get the agreement of other countries to retaliate against you. Not even worth thinking about.
Finally, I just have to shake my head at how utterly stupid it is for the Egyptian government to react this way. While I can understand how embarrassing it is for the relevant authorities to have their dirty laundry outed for the world to see, and their heavy-handed reaction is not all that surprising given the government's track record in dealing with criticism, you'd think at the very least they would understand that going after you is going to take a relative nothingburger blog post (no offense!) and make it a full-blown international news item. This is definitely going to get picked up by the travel press and generate orders of magnitude more bad press for Egypt than your OP could ever have done. Streisand Effect extraordinaire.
Will make popcorn settle in!
I think the risk in returning is in manufactured offenses, at security and/or customs. They aren’t foolish enough to detain someone for writing a bad review, but what about that contraband that was ‘found’ in the travelers bag?
My bingo card did not have “Foreign government makes wild accusations against Ben” on it!
Bravo!
I would not worry about it ben. Obviously, the Egyptian government cannot handle the criticism. Just like Puerto Rico doesn't want to hear the truth about it being an island of garbage.
Oh just like you Miguel, still failing to realize you are an ACTUAL HUMAN TRASH?
It’s because you are Jewish. That’s why all the hate hits you.
um. he def is not. are you kidding?
Exactly! This is pure and simple antisemitism. They can’t improve their country or the lives of their people, so they pick on the American Jew.
But their airport is actually the least of the aviation minister’s problems. Because of the airspace closures in Russia, Ukraine, Syria and Libya (sometimes Iran and Iraq too), Egypt is having to handle way too many aircraft flying through its airspace.
Ask any pilot who frequently flies through Egyptian airspace...
Exactly! This is pure and simple antisemitism. They can’t improve their country or the lives of their people, so they pick on the American Jew.
But their airport is actually the least of the aviation minister’s problems. Because of the airspace closures in Russia, Ukraine, Syria and Libya (sometimes Iran and Iraq too), Egypt is having to handle way too many aircraft flying through its airspace.
Ask any pilot who frequently flies through Egyptian airspace and they’ll tell you how bad the situation has gotten with Egyptian ATC. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.
If Israel had a peaceful situation, they could easily open a transit corridor from the Mediterranean to Jordan (and then to Saudi). But we all know this wouldn’t be able to happen anytime soon
Sorry that yet again true independent observations by a credible source are subject to this kind of political theatre in a region that has a track history of suppressing free speech!
"I guess my days of frequent travel through Cairo Airport are over"
Yes, but think of all the new views, clicks, and comments your site will be getting and how the extra $$$ from that will help your bottom line.
(Cloud, silver linings, etc).
Its because you are Jewish.Should have realised that would happen.
Lucky isn't Jewish.
Saw the title and thought that Josh Cahill became a guest writer!
Please apologize. Life is not worth it.
Cairo airport is among the best in the world.
Hmm… they could have ignored you and this would have gone nowhere… but instead they choose to post a bad review all over their headlines. Makes no sense to me.
The Streisand effect in action!
I would be a bit nervous that this extends to other countries in Egypt's sphere of influence as to issues arising when traveling there in the future.
Their approach would be considered in any study of how to respond to poor publicity as the absolute worst you could ever take. If you respond at all you simply do so cordially, with empathy, and with the pledge to look into this review to learn more....
I would be a bit nervous that this extends to other countries in Egypt's sphere of influence as to issues arising when traveling there in the future.
Their approach would be considered in any study of how to respond to poor publicity as the absolute worst you could ever take. If you respond at all you simply do so cordially, with empathy, and with the pledge to look into this review to learn more. If you respond at all. This would have been buried and forgotten in 10 minutes and Egypt would have come across as a serious country rather than a complete joke.
Their response will cost them much more than the initial review ever would.
I agree, some journalist was killed in an embassy, an italian student was also killed and tortured in Cairo and any unexpected diversion can happen any time.
At least they didnt pay attention to blogger, husband and son coming from Who knows....
I think its not a funny thing...
I shouldnt have written this 2nd post
Egypt has no influence. The country is a third-world dump.
Nothing lost here, Lucky. You're fighting the good fight. Keep your chin up.
The flood of 5 star / no comment reviews of CAI on Google in the last week tell a different story, and the 1 star with comment reviews must be a global blogger conspiracy ;)
Sorry you are being targeted for just speaking the truth Ben. I’m sure it’s stressful!
Makes me want to never visit Egypt
You wanted to visit Egypt prior to this?
If this was drama queen Josh or extortionist Sebastian, I would have totally believe the government.
It seems extortion in Indonesia continues, but the queen was never seen in QSuites again.
One hotel, one airport, what could be next.
Ben should avoid the Mediterranean east of Italy for now. Lot's of crazy people, lot's of power hunger warlords, lot's of propaganda, and lot's of coverups.
I wonder would fingering pedophile poop reader will get...
If this was drama queen Josh or extortionist Sebastian, I would have totally believe the government.
It seems extortion in Indonesia continues, but the queen was never seen in QSuites again.
One hotel, one airport, what could be next.
Ben should avoid the Mediterranean east of Italy for now. Lot's of crazy people, lot's of power hunger warlords, lot's of propaganda, and lot's of coverups.
I wonder would fingering pedophile poop reader will get me banned from eating alphabet pasta.
I've seen airlines and airports push back on (what is usually fair) criticism but never a whole country. You have unlocked a new level.
It would have been so much easier for them to say, "Fair cop, Gov. Fancy coming to see us to hear about our future plans and how we want to make things better."
I’m just wondering, how did worst in the world blogger end up having a proper travel blog ?
That’s quite a feat
Dear Lucky,
Now it’s Egypt next is the US dictatorship which is coming for sure and you cannot say your opinion anymore in the US. We are all very concerned about that!
@Joe
What a stupid and baseless comment.
@Joe
That won't happen for next four years to come.
Republicans will protect the freedom of speech.
On the other hand Democrats will limit those freedom that the constitution has granted the people, because snowflakes are getting offended.
The recent election will be remembered as the beginning of the resistance against the liberal hypocrisy.
Dear Joe,
You should be. The right term isn't 'next'.
Snowden is living proof that it already happened.
You are living proof that propaganda works.
No, you're wrong, unless Ben writes a piece against PBI, where the dictator resides (PB County). Although he may be banned from Broward County as a "foreign" enemy from Miami-Dade.
Glad we’ve already seen all we need to see in Egypt … plenty of other places to see in the world.
Oh boy! You have your hands full on this one. Good luck.
CAI is awful and EgyptAir is a dangerous and untrustworthy airline (see the crash of EgyptAir Flight 990 by the pilot and subsequent cover up). Egypt is a lovely place but avoid air travel there at all costs.
Do they not have bigger issues to address?
The Aegon Mykonos saga was truly entertaining. This one is even more bizarre and troubling. Looking forward to the Ben's follow up posts and hopefully some improvements at CAI airport as a result...
As someone who has experienced rude service in Cairo airport, I can only agree. I did experience terrible lines trying to enter the airport from the outside as only one security machine worked.
Love the archeological sites in Egypt, but the airport shouldn’t be an Archeological site!
Lucky: good on you for sharing your frank opinions on CAI, which I think was an entirely fair article. Having traveled through CAI myself enough times, the air there is indeed pervasively polluted by cigarette smoke.
Wow. I couldn’t agree more that it is an awful airport, but this is absolutely unacceptable. Best believe I won’t be giving any more of my dollars to the country’s economy either.
As an Egyptian I'm truly sorry you've had to experience this. To clarify in case it's not obvious, the ministry has to refute dimiss and deny any issues with the airport because under our bureaucratic system of government admitting or even acknowledging any of the very valid constructive criticism you've raised would be seen as failures on their part and have potentially very serious repercussions on the officials running the airport. All this to say...
As an Egyptian I'm truly sorry you've had to experience this. To clarify in case it's not obvious, the ministry has to refute dimiss and deny any issues with the airport because under our bureaucratic system of government admitting or even acknowledging any of the very valid constructive criticism you've raised would be seen as failures on their part and have potentially very serious repercussions on the officials running the airport. All this to say I hope you can take it in your stride as a compliment for you and your work and nothing more. I would still avoid going through CAI in the near future to avoid any undue hassle. Happy travels.
They can't even tell the difference between a video, a written article, or photos. That's all I need to know to assess the credibility of what they're saying. That government definitely should have better things to do, like working to improve the lives of their people instead of making up cheap PR dramas.
Geez. Wait until a few more bloggers chime in. Then they will accuse you of running a pyramid scheme.
Well played.
What better place to run a pyramid scheme than in Egypt.
That was funny!
I see what you did here
:)
I've seen stories of Thailand going after people for negative reviews as well.
One MORE reason to never travel there again. Wild story... but as Lucky said, I didn't think much of the initial post, was chuckling and thinking, seem about right but the reaction really makes me think twice to ever going there again. Kind of a warped Streisand effect they are creating here...
I agree with you. Ben's post was comical at best and I was thinking "OK, now I know what to expect." But after this, I'll never be putting a foot there.
I am sure the fact that you are Jewish is playing a huge role in the government’s baseless claims. Of course, it is easy to accuse of being a “foreign agent.”
Ben is not Jewish.
Matt, you're dumb.
Hah! Ben, here's an article discussing things in more detail:
egypttoday.com/Article/1/136251/Egypt-refutes-claims-accusations-made-by-blogger-against-Cairo-International
Wow. Unbelievable. This is super creepy!
Doesn't it violate privacy laws? Oh wait, Egypt is a lawless country....
Wow, that's just creepy!
Hi Ben. I just wanted to reach out after reading about the troubling situation with the Egyptian government. From reading your blog and speaking with you before, it’s clear to me that you’re someone with integrity and a strong ethical code. I fully believe your account of what you experienced.
It’s unacceptable that they chose to attack you personally rather than addressing the real issues you pointed out. They could’ve taken a lesson from how...
Hi Ben. I just wanted to reach out after reading about the troubling situation with the Egyptian government. From reading your blog and speaking with you before, it’s clear to me that you’re someone with integrity and a strong ethical code. I fully believe your account of what you experienced.
It’s unacceptable that they chose to attack you personally rather than addressing the real issues you pointed out. They could’ve taken a lesson from how LGA responded to criticism—by working on improving the airport, not targeting the critic.
Please know that my family and I stand with you through this.
Absolutely nuts. I'd also expect this kind of behavior by the UAE for criticizing anything. But Egypt isn't far off.
Yeah, I definitely wouldn't be transiting through Cairo ever again. They definitely will have flagged your name and passport and would absolutely detain you.
Doubtful they would detain him. I can see some level of "extreme security" at their weird visa/bank counter. I'll be there agai next month & can't wait to deal with there entry security
Leave it to the Egyptian Government to look to blame, slander, and ultimately claim falsehoods instead of even considering the reality that they may have issues with their terrible airport and the horrendous staff--and the disgusting smell of smoke that fills the whole space.
Yet aren't they wasting billions with a failed attempt at a super city in the middle of no where?
This is wild and while I would expect this from some countries Egypt definitely isn’t (wasn’t) one of them!
Did Josh Cahill also happen to be flying through Cairo around the same time?
“Hold my beer.”
- Josh Cahill
Lines were God-awful both my times leaving. Arrived 3.5 hours before departure & only got past the final security check 60 minutes before departure both times
Worst non-COVID-related airport experience
It actually translates to:
"Worst in the world"
Blogger Ben Schlappig claimed that Cairo airport is the “worst in the world”,-
Any else read 'in the world' in a Jeremy Clarkson voice?
What a horrifying story! I will travel to CAI this weekend so this behavior of the government doesn’t instill me with confidence about the situation there. As I would personally rank HRG as the worst airport I have been at it’s not a stretch to believe CAI is even worse.
this is genuinely comical, speechless at the severity of the reaction, this is one blog post…. i lol’d when i saw the ‘attempts to target Cairo Airport’